Winnipeg zoo euthanizes world's oldest polar bear

grumpy old man wrote:A little decorum please. Someone just died.

Deank wrote:The initiative already exists. Its part of a estimated $200 Million overhaul of the entire Ass park. They have a CEO leading the cause now I believe.

incognito wrote:It's inhumane to feed animals tainted meat.

incognito wrote:It's inhumane to feed animals tainted meat.

JTF wrote:

Deank wrote:The initiative already exists. Its part of a estimated $200 Million overhaul of the entire Ass park. They have a CEO leading the cause now I believe.

Perhaps they will take advantage of this situation and promote their cause. Let's hope something is leveraged from this and not just a fancy plaque.

Glover would love to see a state-of-the-art polar bear enclosure as a key component of a new wing to highlight all of its North American animals.
The Zoological Society of Manitoba, which raises money for the zoo, envisions a new polar bear exhibit that allows visitors to view the charismatic creatures both above and below the surface of the water -- and also learn about the culture of the Canadian North.
Polar Bears International, an educational organization based in Assiniboine Park, wants the exhibit to be connected to Churchill by satellite link, especially when polar bears congregate along the Hudson Bay shoreline east of the Manitoba town in October and November.
All of the prospective players believe a state-of-the-art polar bear conservation centre could become one of Winnipeg's premiere tourist attractions as well as a vital teaching and research facility, especially as climate change alters the culture and ecology of the Arctic.

Deank wrote:"Polar Bears International, an educational organization based in Assiniboine Park, wants the exhibit to be connected to Churchill by satellite link, especially when polar bears congregate along the Hudson Bay shoreline east of the Manitoba town in October and November"

that part would be pretty much useless and not worth the expense though.

Assiniboine Park Zoo is getting a new polar bear, but don't expect this one to do much in the way of... well, anything.



The province of Manitoba wants to donate a statue of Debby the polar bear, the Guinness record-setting carnivore that was Assiniboine Park Zoo's most famous resident until she passed away last year at the age of 42.

Debby was believed to be the oldest member of her iconic Arctic species before she died in November from multiple organ failure, a consequence of living more than twice the average lifespan of a wild polar bear.

The province's Culture, Heritage, Tourism and Sport department has offered to donate a statue to the zoo to "recognize what Debby meant to Manitobans," says a report that comes before city council's protection and community services committee on Friday.

"When Debby was 41 years old, she was entered into the 2008 Guinness Book of Records as the oldest living polar bear. At age 42 years, she was within the top three longevity record-holders for all eight species of bears," reported Assiniboine Park enterprise manager Frank Caldwell.

"Following her death, over 500 visitors attended a 'celebration' event to commemorate Debby's life, the zoo received world-wide attention and countless letters and correspondence in recognition of what Debby meant to the zoo, to the community, to polar bear conservation and to individuals who were touched by her story."

The report says the province will pick up the tab for the Debby statue, a creation of artist Charles Johnston.

The zoo has yet to determine where and when to place the statue, and will likely co-ordinate the unveiling as part of a fundraising campaign toward the construction of a new polar bear enclosure.

Debby's former enclosure no longer meets provincial standards for housing polar bears, which means Assiniboine Park Zoo is not allowed to obtain a new member of the threatened species.

The Assiniboine Park Conservancy, an agency poised to take control of the park and all of its facilities, plans to launch a $150-million to $200-million capital campaign that will likely include a radical zoo makeover and a new polar bear facility.

Polar Bears International, an educational organization based in the park, hopes a new polar bear exhibit will allow visitors to view the creatures as they swim underwater and learn about the ecology and culture of Canada's Arctic.

But officials have said it could take more than a decade to build this facility.

bartley.kives@freepress.mb.ca