We'll Miss You, Francis

He had a good long life, but I sure will miss my visits with Francis, the Sun Bear.
He came to the SD Zoo after being rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in the late 1990s, and was about 21 years old when he passed away. Being the smallest species of bear, he had a cuteness that belied his age, especially when he delighted visitors with his signature pose. Francis was featured in the March 2019 ZooNooz after receiving stem cell therapy which signficantly improved his arthritis symptoms. Many thanks to the keepers and veterinary staff that gave the very best care to this beloved bear.
I imagine he’s climbing with ease in Heaven now, and I’ve heard the honey flows freely there.