The bear spent nearly three decades at the sanctuary, becoming a familiar presence to generations of staff and visitors. Her death comes as bear conservation in Greece faces renewed attention following the killing of three bears in western Macedonia province in June, including Kirki, a young bear rehabilitated by Arcturos and subsequently released into the wild. The incidents prompted calls for stronger wildlife protection and more effective intervention by the authorities.

Those who cared for Katerina remembered her as strong-willed, independent and unruly, with distinctive habits that set her apart. Among them was her characteristic practice of dipping dry bread into water to soften it before eating.

“There are animals that pass through our history and animals that become part of it. Katerina was one of those,” Arcturos said in a farewell message posted on social media.

“Almost 30 years together is almost an entire lifetime,” the organization added. “Farewell, Katerina. You will always be part of our history.”

Arcturos operates a bear sanctuary in Nymfaio, in the Florina region, providing refuge for bears that cannot return to the wild. Greece is home to an estimated 900 brown bears, according to figures cited by the organization earlier this year.