Sea World 'deeply saddened' by death of polar bear

Sea World polar bear Liya has died aged 19, after a "long and enriched life", the park has confirmed.

The polar bear died unexpectedly at the Gold Coast theme park on Saturday night.

Head of Marine Sciences Wayne Phillips said Liya had been at the park nearly two decades after moving to Sea World in 2001 from Leningrad Zoo in Russia as part of an international breeding program.

"The animals at Sea World are like family and Liya will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her," he said in a statement.

"In her 18 years at Sea World, Liya has helped generations of park guests gain a better appreciation for polar bears and the marine environment."

The park was "deeply saddened" by the death of the "much-loved" animal, the statement said.

Liya had two cubs; Mishka who lives on the Gold Coast and Henry, who lives in Canada.

Polar bears live on average 15 to 18 years in the wild.