American black bear Yonah was humanely euthanized Nov. 1, according to a release from Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services.
Yonah and her sister, Athena, both showed signs of respiratory illness in October. Yonah’s symptoms developed into severe pneumonia.
Athena tested positive for influenza and has since recovered. She will continue to live at Bear Hollow Zoo.
Yonah’s care team consulted with staff at the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital and decided euthanasia was the best option to minimize her suffering.
Yonah and Athena have lived at Bear Hollow Zoo since 2010 when they arrived as cubs. They spent most of their time with DJ, an American black bear who arrived at Bear Hollow Zoo in 2006. He died in May 2025 at the age of 22.
Yonah and Athena celebrated their 16th birthday with a Sweet 16 party in May that guests of all ages enjoyed. Visitors could often find Yonah lounging in her hammock or climbing her favorite tree.
