The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo said goodbye to its 32-year-old Asiatic black bear, Beezler, over the weekend, according to a news release. 

She was the oldest Asiatic black bear in human care in the U.S. before being euthanized Sunday, the zoo’s release stated. She was euthanized because of age-related decline, according to Rachel Wright, the zoo’s spokeswoman. 

Beezler came to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in 1994 with her sister, Honey, who died in 2022, the zoo said. 

She was a rare and special resident as Asiatic black bears are not commonly found in zoos, according to officials. 

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s ‘longest-living resident,’ Roxie, has died

The zoo family got the chance to say their goodbyes during Beezler’s “Last Best Day,” when she relaxed in the sun and enjoyed cookies, whipped cream, muffins and meatballs. 

“It may sound strange, but we work hard and have hours of discussions to make sure we’re giving each animal its Last Best Day,” said Bob Chastain, the zoo’s president and CEO. 

Beezler’s exhibit was tucked in a quiet corner of the zoo, above the play hill and tapir-okapi yard, where many visitors would stop for lunch at nearby picnic tables.

The zoo said she was a celebrated member of the community and was an inspiration to many in their golden years. 

“She was the oldest Asiatic black bear in human care in the country, but it seems like she only turned ‘old’ really recently,” said Jessi Palmer, a Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit animal keeper at the zoo. “She was still so mentally sharp, observant and engaged. It’s like we knew she was old, but she didn’t believe it.”

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo bids farewell to ‘legendary’ giraffe

Despite only standing at about 2½ feet tall at the shoulder, Beezler had a giant presence at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and on social media.

Erika Furnes, another Rocky Mountain Wild animal keeper, worked with Beezler for nearly a decade and described her as sweet, confident and patient, with a bit of respectable sass. 

“A big part of our role is to help guests fall in love with animals, but she didn’t need us,” Furnes said. “She did that on her own. People connected with her in so many ways, and she was the perfect ambassador for her species.”