Pages

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

'Depressed' Argentina polar bear Arturo dies at 30

Polar bear in Argentina Zoo, said to be depressed
Arturo whose partner Pelusa died of cancer in 2012 was said to suffer from depression
Argentina's only polar bear has died at the age of 30, his zoo says.



Arturo, as he was known, came to the world's attention two years ago, when thousands of people signed a petition asking for him to be transferred to a colder climate in Canada.

But the request was denied, as officials at the Mendoza zoo said he was "too old" to be sedated and moved.
His partner Pelusa died of cancer in 2012, and he was said to have developed depression after that.


A "blood circulation imbalance" caused a general decline in his health and Arturo died on Sunday, the zoo said. He was already weak due to old age, they added, with failing eyesight and sense of smell. He was blind on his right eye.

In his last days, he suffered loss of appetite and was said to have lost significant weight. A team was watching the animal and considered putting him to sleep in the case of extreme suffering but, according to the zoo, "nature took its course".