Coldilocks, US oldest polar bear, dies

The oldest captive polar bear in the US has died.

The Philadelphia Zoo on Tuesday said that the 37-year-old Coldilocks has been euthanised following a serious decline in her health.

The zoo said Coldilocks had a variety of age related medical issues and showed worsening changes in her behaviour and appetite before her death.

They also said the bear far surpassed the roughly 23-year life span of a typical polar bear.

Dr Andy Baker, the zoo's chief operating officer, said Coldilocks brought attention to how climate change affects polar bears and she will be greatly missed.

Coldilocks was born December 13, 1980 at Seneca Park Zoo in New York and arrived at the Philadelphia Zoo about a year later.