"A grizzly bear named Waldo, who entertained Winnipeg zoo visitors since 1974, has died.
Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park was also home to Debby, the famous polar bear who died two years ago when she had to be euthanized in November 2008 after her organs began to fail from old age. At 42 she was at that time the oldest living polar bear in captivity. Born in the Russian Arctic in 1966, she came to Winnipeg as an orphan a year later.The zoo has not been able to get another polar bear since Debby because the enclosure no longer meets provincial standards.
However, in December 2009, Premier Greg Selinger announced that a new polar bear rescue shelter and exhibit will be the centrepieces of a conservation centre to be constructed in 2011.The centre will include a state-of-the-art polar bear enclosure as well as a new arctic exhibit featuring caribou, arctic fox, snowy owls and musk oxen."
Source & photo credits: CBC News & Waldo with his sister Hilda I found here, where you can find some more zoo pics and even a video!
Waldo, the Assiniboine Park Zoo's grizzly bear, died last week in his sleep at age 36, curled up in a bed of straw in his hibernating den, stated a press release Monday from the Assiniboine Park Zoo.
The 36-year-old spent the majority of his life in the company of his sister Hilda, who died three years ago at age 33.
"Waldo will be missed by the many zoo staff that cared for him over the years, and by thousands of visitors who enjoyed watching him interact with Hilda, and dive into the pool for apples," the press release stated.
The Assiniboine Park Zoo has maintained grizzlies since 1951, during which time 12 cubs have been born.Waldo was a good animal who rarely gave zookeepers any problems and loved his food, said zoo curator Bob Wrigley.
Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park was also home to Debby, the famous polar bear who died two years ago when she had to be euthanized in November 2008 after her organs began to fail from old age. At 42 she was at that time the oldest living polar bear in captivity. Born in the Russian Arctic in 1966, she came to Winnipeg as an orphan a year later.The zoo has not been able to get another polar bear since Debby because the enclosure no longer meets provincial standards.However, in December 2009, Premier Greg Selinger announced that a new polar bear rescue shelter and exhibit will be the centrepieces of a conservation centre to be constructed in 2011.The centre will include a state-of-the-art polar bear enclosure as well as a new arctic exhibit featuring caribou, arctic fox, snowy owls and musk oxen."
Source & photo credits: CBC News & Waldo with his sister Hilda I found here, where you can find some more zoo pics and even a video!
