TULSA, Okla., Oct. 20 (UPI) -- One of the Tulsa, Okla., Zoo's newest grizzly bears was euthanized after getting an aggressive fungal infection.
Kay Backues, Tulsa Zoo senior staff veterinarian, said the 2-year-old grizzly, Monty, had an atypical fungal infection that was not responding to medication, the Tulsa World reported.
"It's not usually a disease-causing agent. When they are, they are aggressive," Backues said.
Monty and his mother, Rainy, 7, were brought to the zoo earlier this year after being captured in Montana and classified as nuisance bears because they learned to seek out food from a nearby farm.
Zookeepers first noticed a spot on the bear's back and treated Monty for a routine bacterial abscess with antibiotics.
Monty didn't respond to treatment and additional cultures and biopsies were performed, discovering a fungal infection.
"It's not the type of infection that would be contagious," Backues said.
