Juwita, a 25-year-old female Malay sun bear at the Honolulu Zoo, was euthanized Tuesday due to complications from cancer, zoo officials announced Wednesday.

Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos, veterinarians, curators and keeper staff made the decision “in the best interest of the animal” after assessing the bear’s deteriorating condition.

Juwita and Blackie, the male sun bear, arrived at the Waikiki zoo in 2008 as a pair from the Cleveland Zoo.

“Juwita’s passing is a huge loss as the wild sun bear population is critical and the number in captivity is low,” Santos said in a news release.

The Honolulu Zoo is working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan to find another companion for Blackie.

The smallest of the bear species, sun bears are native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and have a life expectancy of about 20 years in captivity.