Lyutyik the polar bear, who was transferred from Australia to Alaska Zoo in 2006 as part of a breeding program, has died aged 19.
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Officials announced on the zoo website on Monday that 19-year-old Lyutyik (LOO-tee-ik) died on Sunday.
Lyityik, generally referred to as Lyu or Louie was part of the zoo since 2006.
He arrived from Sea World on the Gold Coast as a five year old in the hope he would breed with Alaska Zoo's eight-year-old female Aphun.
Zoo officials last week said the bear had become lethargic and was refusing to eat two months ago, and caretakers removed him from his usual habitat for monitoring.
After the bear died, an evaluation found a mass around and in one of his kidneys.
Zoo officials say the condition often goes undetected in animals that large. A more comprehensive pathology review is planned.
Polar Bears International says some polar bears in captivity have lived to their mid- to late 30s.
Australian Associated Press
