Polar bear at zoo euthanized (in constant pain due to torture at circus)

[rec_report]

Polar bear at zoo euthanized 13 Jun 2007

ASHEBORO -- Masha, one of two polar bears that came to the North Carolina Zoo in 2002 after being confiscated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from a circus traveling in Puerto Rico, was euthanized Wednesday after exploratory surgery revealed abnormalities that had kept him in constant pain, :cry: the zoo said in a news release.

Years of malnutrition and poor living conditions while being kept by the circus are thought to have initiated and exacerbated the bear’s deteriorating health, :cry: according to zoo veterinary staff.

Masha was one of six polar bears confiscated in 2002 from the Suarez Brothers Circus in southern Puerto Rico.

Exploratory surgery this morning revealed gastric ulcers, bladder and kidney infections, pneumonia and other physical problems. The surgery additionally revealed that he was suffering neurological problems that had rendered him unable to walk or stand. :cry: He had stopped eating more than a week ago.

The zoo’s second polar bear, Wilhelm, who arrived with Masha in 2002, is in stable health but will likely never fully recover from his years of similar poor living conditions at the circus. :cry: He remains on exhibit daily.

Please, DUers, do NOT patronize any circuses with animals - and tell everyone you know to avoid them!
This story is devastating.

Please kick this post.
Thank you,
Sad, crying Polar Bear

[Blue_Tires]

1. very sad...

kick

[rec_report]

4. Thank you. n/t

[StarryNite]

2. That is so very sad.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Bless the beasts and the children.

[rec_report]

3. Yup, I can't stop crying.

I am a sad Polar Bear.
:cry:

[driver8]

5. Oh man...this is so, so sad.

I am speechless.

[rec_report]

6. Here is the NC Zoo's press release:

http://www.nczoo.com/News/20070613221417013
It's so sad...

Polar Bear

[DesertRat]

7. Animals are not ours for entertainment (see enclosed link)

"The idea that it is funny to see wild animals coerced into acting like clumsy humans, or thrilling to see powerful beasts reduced to cringing cowards by a whipcracking trainer is primitive and medieval. It stems from the old idea that we are superior to other species and have the right to hold dominion over them."
—Dr. Desmond Morris, anthropologist, animal behaviorist, author
http://www.circuses.com/

[rec_report]

8. Yes. That poor bear suffered from malnutrition...

I wish the terrorists who abused that bear (and the other five) were arrested and jailed.
Polar Bear

[AZBlue]

9. This is why I never ever go to circuses and ask my friends not to do so either.

Animals were not put here for our entertainment - when will we get that???!?!?!

[rec_report]

10. Right, it's insane. n/t

[Maru Kitteh]

11. Rest in Peace. Perhaps someday we may evolve beyond the mindless barbarity

so indicitave of our kind.

Kindness to ALL creatures. They are all creatures of wonder.

Bear
Dog
Cow
Cat
Pig


and so on .....

[rec_report]

12. Thank you for sweet bear picture!! And, pictures of our other...

friends!
:) Polar Bear

[Maru Kitteh]

13. Oh, you're welcome!

It's my opinion that we can never truly consider ourselves evolved until we learn to halt our destruction not only of each other, but our fellow creatures as well. Neither pursuit is necessary.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

14. Don't go to circuses that have animals in the show

Go to those that don't, like Cirque du Soleil. Really amazing, and each show is different as well!

Very sad about the polar bear.

[SeattleGirl]

15. God, that is so sad.

Mistreatment of animals makes me sick. :cry:

[IndyOp]

16. I hate circuses, I always have. My family took me when I was little

because I loved animals. Which, of course, is why I hated circuses - but they didn't get it.

:(

[The2ndWheel]

17. "He remains on exhibit daily."

Get rid of the zoo too.

[rec_report]

19. That's what I thought, too... but, the bearkeepers at the NC zoo really...

tried to give the two poor polar bears a good life, after they were mistreated for years with the circus terrorists.
Polar Bear

[LostinVA]

18. This is an excellent habitat zoo -- I urge people to go there

Even if you have to go out of the way a few hours.