Duluth polar bear makes progress

Photo: Jody Dingle, Photos.com

Nov 10, 2012 at 9:06 am

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KNSI) A polar bear whose Duluth zoo exhibit was flooded this summer is making a strong recovery after surgery last month in St. Paul.

Officials at St. Paul's Como Zoo say Berlin is back with Como's twin polar bears, Buzz and Neil.

Berlin had major surgery at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center after Como zookeepers found her lethargic and unresponsive. Doctors performed exploratory abdominal surgery and removed a mass of dead tissue that had been causing internal bleeding.

A veterinarian says it's highly unlikely the polar bear would have survived without surgery.

Berlin was cleared to go back on exhibit last week. Zookeepers say she has resumed her normal diet.