Killian MacLochlainn, owner of the Wild Ireland animal retreat, tried to save the life of Aurnia following complications the bear suffered after having two teeth removed.

The litigation and family law specialist had brought Aurnia to Ireland from Lithuania, saving her from a life of mistreatment.

At the sanctuary she became of the star attractions.

He said: “Our beautiful brown bear Aurnia, our golden lady, had two broken canine teeth and they had started to give her a lot of pain and a lot of trouble.

“We brought in a team of specialist vets which had the skills and the tools required to do dentistry work on a bear. If you can imagine their canine teeth are very large and you need specialist equipment in order to work with those teeth.

“Any anesthetic is risky but it’s even more risky if you are working with a large wild animal like a bear.

“Sadly during the procedure, Aurnia stopped breathing and I tried to do chest compressions and the team were trying to do chest compressions with her for 45 minutes but unfortunately we couldn’t get her to start breathing again and we lost her.”

Mr MacLochlainn added: “We all loved her dearly. The only thing that is consoling us is that she had one good year here, probably the best year of her life here at Wild Ireland.

“I’d like to remember her like that.”