Sequoia Park Zoo Black Bear Ishūng Loses 100 Pounds After Healthier Diet

Sequoia Park Zoo's black bear Ishūng has shed an estimated 100 pounds since arriving at the Eureka zoo weighing between 475 and 500 pounds, more than double the average weight for a healthy adult female American black bear. The zoo marked the milestone last week with a short "body transformation" video timed to Ishūng's birthday.

The three-year-old bear's path to Eureka was shaped by a regulatory crackdown. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife placed Ishūng at Sequoia Park Zoo in late March after revoking the permits of an unnamed animal sanctuary elsewhere in California over animal welfare concerns. Before the transfer, Ishūng had been living in a sparse 16-foot by 16-foot exhibit furnished with little more than a water tub and a handful of enrichment items.

Sequoia Park zookeeper Erin Corrigan described the conditions that led to the permit revocation. "There were also concerns about animal husbandry, and they weren't meeting the necessary standards," Corrigan said. "They were offered opportunities to rectify those problems, and they either weren't able to or chose not to. Eventually, their permits were not renewed."

After acclimating to her new enclosure and adopting a more nutritious diet, Ishūng's weight has dropped by an estimated 100 pounds. She has also developed distinct food preferences along the way: green bell peppers are now a favorite, while beets remain firmly off the menu.

The before-and-after photos released by the zoo alongside the birthday video offer a striking visual record of the change. Whether the weight loss journey continues will depend on the diet and care regimen the Sequoia Park Zoo team maintains going forward.