Arturo the Polar Bear, who drew international attention as what many called the world's saddest bear, died Sunday at the Mendoza zoo in Argentina.
Weakened by age with failing eyesight and sense of smell, the 30-year-old bear suffered a fatal "blood circulation imbalance,"
the BBC reported.
Many animals have died at the Mendoza zoo in recent months, with officials citing bacteria and overcrowding. The city has discussed publicly plans to convert the zoo to a nature preserve.
In recent years, Argentina's last polar bear drew more than 1.2 million signatures to an online petition. The petition sought to move him out of the sweltering Argentina zoo after he fell into depression following the death of his partner, Pelusa, from cancer in 2012. In response, zoo officials said the bear was too old and frail to move.
Arturo was brought to Argentina from the United States 23 years ago. His death was attributed to old age rather than poor conditions at the zoo,
France 24 reported via AFP.
“We hope that he will be the last polar bear to be held in a zoo in our country and that his case will oblige the authorities to review the state of other exotic species still living in the same situation,” Greenpeace spokeswoman Soledad Sede said in a statement.
Twitter users expressed anger and sadness over the bear's death.