A bear had to be euthanized after an incident happened in the bear cage at the Goldau nature and animal park.

On Thursday, a 31-year-old female bear named Laila was euthanized after a fight with another bear in the Goldau Nature and Animal Park, Switzerland.

The bears – who also roam around in nature as loners – live in separate compartments at the Tierpark Goldau’s shared facility for bears and wolves.

The bears are brought into the barn in the afternoon so that food may be dispersed throughout the facility to keep them occupied.

The incident occurred on Thursday when Takis, a 14-year-old Syrian brown bear, and Laila, a 31-year-old bear, clashed due to an open valve.

Attempts to separate the two bears were in vain.

Laila was put down because of her injuries.

The incident took place behind the scenes, thus it was not visible to zoo visitors.

Takis’s male bear behavior is quite natural. Because in nature, an elderly she-bear who can no longer breed and hence no longer serves to preserve the species is attacked by her other bears in order to create place for younger animals.

Laila was 31 years old when she had to undergo surgery for a tumor last October.

This reinforced Takis’ actions, as he believes the incident will have no ramifications for him. The pathology of the dead brown bear is being studied to learn more about the bear’s overall health.

This regrettable tragedy is deeply regretted by the Nature & Animal Park Goldau. When working with animals, despite all safeguards, there is always a residual risk, said the Zoo.

Image Credit: Getty

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