Toronto Zoo and friends bid spiritual farewell to Grizzly Bear, Samson – watch ceremony

TORONTO, Thursday, April 13, 2023 – On Monday, April 10, your Toronto Zoo said goodbye to long time Zoo resident Samson, a 25-year-old Grizzly bear. In honouring both the importance of Mkwa – the bear to Indigenous People – and Samson’s spirit, our Indigenous Relations team arranged to hold a ceremony with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers in the Canadian Domain where Samson spent all of his 24 years with us of his life. The ceremony was based on Anishnaabe and Tsimshian teachings, using various medicines, pipe ceremony and songs. Samson was present, and the ceremony conductors gave him a cedar bath. Tsimshian People are from the Northwest coast of British Columbia and hold very strong connections to Grizzlies. Your Toronto Zoo felt it was important to have this representation and are honoured to have them with us for the ceremony.  

Samson arrived at the Toronto Zoo on September 22, 1998, at around six-months-old. Born in Alaska, he was found by Alaskan officials wandering with no mother and undernourished. He was joined at your Toronto Zoo by Shintay, a female Grizzly, in 1999 and spent the last 24 years in their Canadian Domain habitat running around together and wrestling for their favourite enrichment items. Despite his impressive size (just over 1000 pounds) he was an amazing and gentle bear, and his keepers were constantly impressed by his intelligence and motivation when training for new behaviours. He seemed to enjoy his one-on-one time with the Wildlife Care staff, which led to a high level of trust and a bond that made caring for him a privilege.

After waking up from hibernation this year, it was apparent Samson was experiencing stiffness and discomfort from progressive arthritic changes to his hips and knees. With him relying so heavily on pain management medication, the decision to humanely euthanize him was made quickly and unanimously among his care team so as not to prolong any suffering. Our hearts go out to all those who had the privilege of working with him during his many years at our Zoo. He will be missed dearly.

Samson’s connection to his keepers was apparent even in his final moments. After enjoying a special meal of salmon, watermelon, and berries, he voluntarily presented his hip and shoulder for his last anaesthetic injection from the veterinary team, just as he had practiced daily for most of his life.  While it is hard to say goodbye, there is comfort in knowing this voluntary participation means he experienced minimal stress or discomfort. The Canadian Domain Wildlife Care staff were by his side and exchanged many stories about Samson’s life here at the Toronto Zoo while he enjoyed honey, his favourite treat.

The Knowledge Keepers shared during the ceremony that this is not a goodbye to Samson, but rather a temporary parting as we will see him on the other side.

SOURCE Toronto Zoo

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