Our Community Mourns Yonah the American Black Bear

The Friends of Bear Hollow join Bear Hollow Zoo and our community in mourning the loss of Yonah (16), an American black bear who was humanely euthanized on the evening of November 1, 2026 following complications from severe pneumonia. This difficult decision was made by both zoo and veterinary staff after medical treatments failed to improve her condition.

Our community has been fortunate to watch Yonah and her sister Athena grow up since they arrived at Bear Hollow Zoo as orphaned cubs in 2010. Yonah enjoyed lounging in her hammock and climbing trees. The photo above was taken at their 12th birthday in 2022. Most recently, their 16th birthdays were celebrated in the spring of 2026 with an event at the zoo featuring their ‘driver’s licenses’ and a red cardboard convertible.

You can read the zoo’s news release here: https://www.accgov.com/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/7072