Life in captivity is really no life at all for wild animals. Although we might try our hardest to
replicate their natural environment, nothing can compare to the physical and mental stimulation that comes with life in the wild. This is a lesson that was painfully learned with the passing of Arturo the polar bearwho spent the majority of his life languishing in an Argentinian zoo. This poor bear was deemed the “world’s saddest” polar bear but it appears that in his stead, a new captive bear seems to have taken his place.
The Grandview Aquarium opened in a mall located in Guangzhou, China, in January 2016 and only a few months after, it was deemed “the world’s saddest zoo.” Among the animals housed in this attraction are two polar-brown bear hybrids, six young beluga whales and five walrus calves.Photographs featuring sickly looking animals in extremely small enclosures, all devoid of any form of entertainment or enrichment for the animals, quickly circulated throughout the media. In response, animal welfare and rescue organization Animals Asia launched a campaign to close the and give the animals proper care. Unfortunately, Grandview Aqaurium has remained open.
Animals Asia writes, “Trapped in the middle of a shopping centre in China – his white fur contrasting against the unnaturally blue display he is an unwilling part of – this sad polar bear has no escape. Nowhere to hide from people taking photos – banging on the windows and shouting. Nothing natural, no attempt to create an environment that would meet the needs of any living bear – never mind this vast magnificent animal.”
Polar bears are endangered in their natural environment, largely thanks to human causes, and it doesn’t appear that this facility has even attempted to give his poor bear any semblance of a natural environment. We never thought we’d say this, but at LEAST Arturo had a swimming pool!
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