Heartbreak in Bridgeton as beloved zoo bear in hospice care

🐻 Beloved Asiatic black bear Holly at Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton has entered hospice care as she battles late-stage liver cancer.
💔 The 30-year-old fan favorite, known as the zoo’s “Queen,” has been a cherished part of the community for decades.
🌞 Staff say Holly is being kept comfortable, enjoying simple moments like sunshine and treats as the zoo prepares for a heartbreaking goodbye.

UPDATE: After only being in hospice care a few days, Holly, the Asiatic Black Bear at Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton died on Wednesday. She was diagnosed with late stage liver cancer in early April, and passed away after showing signs of painful movement and no interest in food or her favorite things, the zoo announced on Facebook. 

"We made the extremely difficult decision to humanely euthanize so she could pass peacefully. Her loss will be felt deeply both by her care staff and by members of the community who have loved visiting her over the years. 

The zoo is asking anyone to share their favorite pictures and/or memories of Holly on its Facebook page. 

BRIDGETON — New Jersey’s first zoo is bracing itself for a soon-to-be unimaginable loss.

Beloved Bridgeton zoo bear Holly enters hospice care amid cancer battle

The staff at Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton took to Facebook on Sunday to warn the public to “prepare their hearts,” as they announced that its beloved Asiatic black bear, Holly, has entered hospice care. She is in the late stages of liver cancer.

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Holly the Asiatic black bear: 30 years as Cohanzick Zoo’s “Queen”

Holly, a zoo favorite for three decades, was born on December 28, 1995. She arrived at Cohanzick, originally named the Bridgeton Zoo, at just 6 months old.

For her first several years at the zoo, Holly lived with her littermate, Ben. But after Ben moved to the Philadelphia Zoo, Holly stepped into her role as “Queen” of the entire zoo, staffers said on Facebook.

Holly is the oldest female Asiatic black bear in human care, having recently celebrated her 30th birthday in December.

Remembering Holly’s life: playful moments and favorite treats

She always loved to spend her days sleeping and looking for food. On hot days, her favorite activity was lounging in her pond to keep cool, and when not lounging in the water, Holly loved to relax on her back, feet up in the air, and play with toys and branches with her paws, according to the zoo’s website.

Her zoo keepers said Holly has always been food-motivated and enjoyed searching and working on puzzles for snacks.

Holly, the oldest living female Asiatic Black Bear in captivity, loved making a nest out of straws, sticks and leaves, zoo officials said. She was never in a rush to get anywhere or do anything, but always let her keepers know when she wanted them to hurry up, they said. Holly loved being waited on hand and foot. Sometimes you could find Holly sitting on a rock dangling her legs like a queen.

Just this past week, Holly thoroughly enjoyed a slice of watermelon, spending the day on her stoop, soaking up the sun, and listening to guests and birds nearby.

Zoo staff ask public to “prepare their hearts” for emotional farewell

“We are keeping her comfortable and following her lead with her care (our veterinarians are also in attendance). Please keep Holly and the zoo staff in your thoughts at this time. We will update you as things change,” the zoo wrote on Facebook.

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