Hogle Zoo's only polar bear has died from an intestinal blockage caused by swallowing a glove.
According to zoo spokeswoman Stacey Phillips, the zoo staff found the dead 14-year-old bear, Andy, early Wednesday.
A post-mortem exam showed the elastic band and plastic lining of the adult glove had become lodged in the bear's intestines, causing a blockage. The blockage caused a rupture in the intestinal wall, leading to leakage of intestinal contents and fatal blood poisoning.
The glove, navy blue fleece with a gray lining, is suspected of belonging to a zoo visitor, as it is not similar to the zoo-issued work gloves for employees.
Phillips said zoo officials are not sure if the glove was tossed into the exhibit intentionally or lost accidentally. She said there have been no recent reports of lost gloves at the bear exhibit.
"This is very much a fluke accident," she said. But she also said the zoo staff is often unhappy about the items — from snowballs to pennies — public visitors throw inside animal exhibits. "This was preventable. Animals eat what's in there," she said.
Humane Society Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt also expressed sadness over the loss.
"It's unfortunate that this happened," he said. "Hopefully, this kind of thing won't happen in the future."
Zoo veterinarian Dr. Nancy Carpenter could not determine how long the glove had been in the bear's system but believes it was a relatively recent occurrence, based on the acute onset of symptoms.
The bear was reported to be in good health, eating well and maintaining normal activity levels, until late Tuesday.
"Zoo keepers are saddened by the death but also upset as this was such a preventable loss," Phillips said. "He was a zoo favorite."
The zoo tries to protect the animals in every way possible but needs visitors to help by not throwing foreign objects or food into the exhibits, she said. If something does get into an exhibit, staff members should be notified immediately, she said.
"It is distressing that something as innocent as a human glove could have such detrimental effects," she said.
Andy was born in 1989 and came to Utah's Hogle Zoo in 1995 from the Buffalo Zoo on breeding loan. Andy sired five offspring at Hogle Zoo, but the cubs were given to other zoos.
Polar bears normally live 25 to 30 years. The zoo's female polar bear, Shinook, was euthanized last December because the 25-year-old bear was in failing health.
At this time, the zoo has not decided whether it will replace the polar bear.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com