M****7
发帖数: 13407 | 1 Gus, the Central Park Zoo's polar bear and "ambassador for his species," has
died at age 27, zoo officials said on Wednesday.
NEW YORK — Gus, the Central Park Zoo's polar bear, has died after spending
the last two years alone following the death of his mate, Ida, in 2011, zoo
officials said on Wednesday. He was 27.
Gus became a symbol for the New York City park and was seen by an estimated
20 million visitors in his lifetime, according to a statement from the
Wildlife Conservation Society, which manages the Central Park Zoo.
Veterinarians euthanized Gus on Tuesday after discovering a large,
inoperable tumor in his thyroid region, the society said.
"Gus had been exhibiting abnormal feeding behavior with low appetite and
difficulty chewing and swallowing his food," the statement said.
The median life expectancy for a male polar bear in zoos is 20.7 years, the
society said, citing the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
When Ida died of liver disease at age 25, commentators expressed concern
that Gus would be lonely.
In 1994, Gus gained media attention out of concern for his repetitive
swimming pattern. In response to that behavior, zoo keepers developed a
program to keep his mind and body more active, such as having Gus forage for
food. His behavior improved after zoo officials brought in an animal
psychologist who treated him with toys, games and a better designed habitat,
the New York Times reported.
"He was an important ambassador for his species bringing attention to the
problems these bears face in the wild due to a changing environment," Jim
Breheny, the society's executive vice president of zoos and aquariums, said
in the statement. "Polar bears are apex predators — the kings of their
domain, but vulnerable in a world affected by climate change brought on by
human activity."
Gus was born at the Toledo Zoo in 1985 and came to the Central Park Zoo in
1988, the statement said. | M****7
发帖数: 13407 | 2 http://news.msn.com/pop-culture/gus-beloved-central-park-zoo-po
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【在 M****7 的大作中提到】
: Gus, the Central Park Zoo's polar bear and "ambassador for his species," has
: died at age 27, zoo officials said on Wednesday.
: NEW YORK — Gus, the Central Park Zoo's polar bear, has died after spending
: the last two years alone following the death of his mate, Ida, in 2011, zoo
: officials said on Wednesday. He was 27.
: Gus became a symbol for the New York City park and was seen by an estimated
: 20 million visitors in his lifetime, according to a statement from the
: Wildlife Conservation Society, which manages the Central Park Zoo.
: Veterinarians euthanized Gus on Tuesday after discovering a large,
: inoperable tumor in his thyroid region, the society said.
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