Oldest polar bear dies in US

America's oldest polar, Klondike, has died aged 34 at Philadelphia Zoo.

The Philadelphia Zoo says the oldest polar bear in the United States has died. It says Klondike was 34 years old. Klondike was one of the zoo's two polar bears. (AP) Source: AP

America's oldest polar bear, Klondike, has died aged 34. She was one of two polar bears at Philadelphia Zoo.

Keepers announced on the zoo's Facebook page on Friday morning that Klondike was euthanised due to a "recent and substantial decline in her medical condition".

The post says Klondike had trouble standing and walking and didn't respond to treatment.

It adds that she brought joy to staff and was an "important ambassador to wild polar bears".

Klondike arrived at the zoo more than 30 years ago.

Its remaining polar bear, Coldilocks, is also 34 and becomes the nation's oldest polar bear.

The world's oldest known polar bear, Debby, who was orphaned as a cub in northern Russia but raised in captivity in Canada, died aged 42 in 2008.