PITTSTOWN — Nearly four months after being placed in a rehabilitation refuge with the hope of being released back into the wild, Mike the orphaned bear cub was euthanized due to an irreversible bone disease.

"After long and difficult discussions, over several days, considering every option, we found there were no options that would enable us to keep Mike alive, comfortable, and pain-free," said wildlife veterinarian Erica Miller. "So as difficult as it is, we made the unanimous decision to end his life peacefully and painlessly, before he reached that kind of discomfort."

The work with Mike will have an impact on the future study of black bears, according to caregivers at Woodlands.

"This case has incredible importance to those of us in the small community that works with black bears around the world. Mike's going to help for a really long time in this field," Tracy Leaver, Executive Director of Woodlands said.

Leaver said she is aware the impact Mike had on many people as a live bear camera on nj.com has been following him for more than three months. "To the MFC (Mike Fan Club), Thank you so much for how much you cared about Mike," Leaver said. "Mike's bear spirit stays intact and he's a happy bear now and fully functioning in another realm."

Leaver released the following statement following Mike's passing

"Mike was a tough case from the very beginning, as it is with any newborn or extremely young animal we receive. With the expertise of our veterinarians, staff and volunteers we were able to get Mike through his initial on set of problems. We implemented pain management and supplement treatment to try and stop or reverse his condition. It was our greatest hope that as a very young animal he could recover. And he did to some extent and began to compensate for his lack of proper movement. As hard as we tried with Mike, in the end there was too much permanent damage in a body not metabolizing correctly. There was no "fix" for his malformed bones and joints. More time would only add to his problems with growing pain and possible dislocations with every weight gain.

"The hardest things we do as wildlife rehabilitators are the right ones for the animals. It is an incredibly difficult decision to end a life. But, it is made out of total respect for the animal, its true and wonderful wild spirit and not our feelings. It is a double edged sword - we know it is so right for the animal and that it will always hurt us. We consider humane euthanasia as a form of release. Release from pain or disease or simply not being able to have a good quality of life in the wild or captivity. Mike is free now.

"We are grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Mike and his case will have long a long lasting effect in many ways. It will continue to help those of us around the world that works with bears. This has already begun as we know we need more medical information on young cubs. Mike was brought into thousands of homes and classrooms via his webcam in more than 79 countries that now know more about bears, other wildlife and wildlife rehabilitation. Mike had a huge fan club that I believe will stay connected to each other and Woodlands. Mike was and will continue to be important.

"We are eternally grateful to: Dr. Keith Ross at the Animal Hospital Clinton Perryville, wildlife veterinarians Dr. Erica Miller and Dave McRuer, MSc, DVM, DACVPM Wildlife Center of Virginia, NJ.com and NJ Advance Media for covering Mike's story and for their technical generosity with the webcam, and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife's Bear Team who have worked closely with us since 1995 rehabilitating and releasing bears.'

Woodlands Wildlife Refuge is the only bear rehabilitation facility in New Jersey. They receive no state or federal funding and rely completely on donations.

Visit Mike's memorial page at www.woodlandswildlife.org/mike.html

Andre Malok may be reached at amalok@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AndreMalok. Find NJ.com on Facebook.