SHORT TAKES : ‘Grizzly Adams’ Bear Dies at Zoo
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LINCOLN, Neb. — Ben the Kodiak bear, which appeared in the television series “Grizzly Adams” in the 1970s, died of heart disease at the Folsom Children’s Zoo.
Ben, found dead in his cage Saturday afternoon, died in his sleep during hibernation, John Chap, director of the zoo, said Monday. A University of Nebraska-Lincoln pathologist performed a necropsy and determined that death was caused by chronic heart disease, Chapo said.
The 15-year-old bear was considered middle-aged, he said.
Ben had been the star attraction at the zoo since arriving there Oct. 31, 1979, Chapo said.
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