Singapore Zoo polar bears

[aaron]

Two polar bears have turned green at Singapore Zoo as a result of algae growing in their hair.

The usually white coats of Sheba and her 13-year-old son Inuka, Singapore Zoo's two polar bears, have changed colour due to the growths in their hollow hair shafts, said Vincent Tan, a spokesman for the zoo. The harmless algae is the result of Singapore's warm and humid tropical conditions.

Polar bears have clear hair shafts which appear white because they reflect light. Sheba's coat was successfully bleached with hydrogen peroxide two weeks ago and Inuka will be given a similar treatment in three weeks time. Inuka remains mottled with bright grass-coloured splotches behind his ears, on his back and legs.

Aaron
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[Dan]

All sounds harmless enough, though peroxiding the bears wouldn't be necessary if they weren't caged in a tropical country!

We visited Singapores night zoo (they keep the zoo open at night) and it was not fun. Big animals living in small enclosures behind toughened glass that stupid tourists bang on saying "do you think they can see and hear us Mom?" isn't my idea of animal welfare!

Admittedly, as the human species has generally failed to co-exist with the rest of the flora and fauna, many zoos perform a valuable conservation function. Expecting animals evolved to live in extreme climates to thrive in the other extreme (in this case polar animals in the tropics) shouldn't be permitted though. What chance do the bears stand of adapting to live in singapore and back to arctic conditions to be released into their natural habitat? None, I'd say!

The only reason to keep Polar Bears on Singapore is for human pleasure.

Dan.
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The Avatar? Not really a tropical paradise... it is South Shropshire, UK.

[bugsgal]

Seriously, the Singapore Zoo is one of the best in the world.

I guess it's true when we shoudln't expect the animals from different climate to juz live in our tropical climate. But, i can ensure u tad the zoo has tried their best and humane way, of trying to strike a balance. It's not juz purely for human pleasure tad we import the animals to live here, but rather, we hope tad locals, whu does not get chances of going overseas, to be able to get in touch with nature and learn.... We have plenty of fauna, but as an island, there aren't much animals we'll ever see if we never import...

As a fellow Singaporean, the zoo is one of our places of interest we take pride in. Have u seen some zoos of other countries where they juz put them in a cage? Tad's wad i call inhumane!

Singapore, sad to say, is a tiny island in comparison to lots of other countries. We can't afford to have safaris and such.... But i can assure u tad the authorities of my sunny island is and will always put in their best, to give the animals an environment closest to their origins.

By the way, the Singapore zoo has alwayz been well-recognized by the world and visitors usually have nothing else to say but praises for the local zoo.

[Dan]

We were intruiged by the idea of a "night-zoo", so went to have a look for ourselves.

The animals did have much more space than in some of the world's worst zoos, but I'm not sure that the animals benefitted from being exhibited at night. Maybe the lions and monkeys feel better after dark (as the temperature drops a little), but I doubt that the reason for opening at night was anything more than a way to earn more tourist dollars.

I'm glad I went to Singapore's night zoo, but wouldn't recommend it to my friends.

I appreciate that many Singaporeans would only see most animals on TV without the zoo, but I still don't feel that this justifies holding polar bears on a tropical island.

Dan.
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The Avatar? Not really a tropical paradise... it is South Shropshire, UK.

[massageLondonUK]

[Harry_Mudd]

I thought that the Polar bear enclosure was sealed and airconditioned?

and as for you anti zoo folks:- get a life! Singapore zoo is the best in the world and the animals get the best possible treatment.

In many cases the zoos are the only places left for some animals as they are no longer in the wild, and zoos create a fantastic learning environment for children.
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Greetings from Yangshuo, China and Wallsend, Australia

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[Dan]

[Harry_Mudd]

So that we can learn from them and then change our environment to suit, thats why. No animals in zoos means no animals which means no learning.
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Greetings from Yangshuo, China and Wallsend, Australia

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[mackenziepiper]

I dont like the fact that animals are kept in small enclosures. I dont mind, however, that some animals are kept in a big enclosure like safari parks.

If the animal is close to extinction or if it is difficult for animals to live in their habitat because of people, or just because it is difficult to live in their habitat...I dont mind the safari parks.

They have km's of space for the animals to roam free and the safari workers can still keep an eye on them (if need be).

my two cents

[Harry_Mudd]

I agree totally. There are too many zoos that are less than adequate, but Singapore zoo, and the night Safari are another level above any other zoo in the world, with the possible exception of Western Plains zoo in Dubbo, NSW, Australia.
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Greetings from Yangshuo, China and Wallsend, Australia

herdy34@hotmail.com