Berlin was euthanized after suffering incurable renal failure (Picture: AP)

The oldest captive polar bear in the US has been euthanized after zoo staff found she had an incurable illness.

Berlin, who was 33, suffered from renal failure, after getting treatment for systemic hypertension at the Kansas City Zoo.

Born on December 11, 1989, a month after the Berlin Wall fell, she was the oldest captive bear in the US and possibly North America, according to the zoo.

Zoo officials ‘exhausted’ treatment options for Berlin before euthanizing her, they said on Thursday.

Berlin was born a month after the fall of the Berlin Wall (Picture: AP)

‘Unfortunately, Berlin’s health had significantly declined yesterday morning, and it was determined there were no other additional medical options to improve her condition. She was euthanized surrounded by her caregivers,’ stated the organization.

‘Berlin will be dearly missed by her Zoo family, including staff, volunteers, and guests.’ 

The polar bear was born in Cincinnati Zoo and was transferred to Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth, Minnesota, when she was one year old. She temporarily escaped her enclosure when her habitat flooded in 2012 and swam up on a rock. Berlin also lived at Como Zoo and moved to Kansas City Zoo in 2012.

She was known for her playful nature.

Berlin was displaced by the flooding at Duluth’s Lake Superior Zoo in 2012 (Picture: AP)

‘Berlin was a beloved ambassador for her species and helped contribute to research that has benefited the wild polar bear population,’ stated the Kansas City Zoo.

‘Her animal care specialists commended her big personality and described her as “smart and sassy” and say she gave all of her caregivers “a run for their money!”‘

Berlin outlived the average life expectancy of polar bears at zoos, which is 23.4 years, the Kansas City institution said. In the wild, polar bears typically live to 15 to 18 years old, according to Polar Bears International.

In honor of Berlin, the Kansas City Zoo said it will make its annual contribution from its conservation fund to Polar Bears International.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

At 33 years old, Berlin, was the oldest captive bear in the US and possibly North America.