Save Arturo

Arturo the polar bear currently lives in the Mendoza Zoo in Argentina, and he appears to be rather depressed. So much so that he has been called the world’s saddest animal and his case has received international attention.

rs_560x331-140715100907-560-2arturo-polar-bear-argentina.ls.71514
(facebook.com/SavePolarBearArthur)

The problem appears to be that he is living in an inappropriate climate, in an enclosure with little water, and he recently lost his polar bear companion. Now he is displaying depressed behaviors like laying around, pacing, and rocking from side to side. Activists have been trying to move Arturo to a place better suited to care for him in Canada, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, where he could be with others of his kind.

So far everything has fallen through and it seems the zoo which has him does not really wish to have him go anywhere else. The Conservancy was willing to make the risky move even with Arturo’s advanced age, but the zoo could not provide the bear’s updated medical records. Arturo’s case has taken on international attention with Facebook pages, a petition on change.org, and a Greenpeace petition that will be given to the Argentinean president.

466965439_custom-22d503ec4e8ca2b68f794bdb74f9cd0cabe1a9e5-s40-c85
(AFP/Getty Images)

A more recent report on Arturo from NPR states that the Mendoza Zoo believes he is too old (28 or 29 years old) to be sedated and taken to the facility in Canada. They have cared for him this long, and removing him from his current caretakers could further depress him. A group of vets in Argentina has also reviewed the situation and also determined that Arturo is too old for the move.

rs_560x418-140715100910-560-3arturo-polar-bear-argentina.ls.71514
(facebook.com/SavePolarBearArthur)

It seems that this sad bear will live out his days alone. Whether moving him would be the best for Arturo we can only hope that he is well taken care of for the remainder of his life.

-Cola and Fizz

Real Life Pooh Bear

A bear cub in New Jersey got a little too interested in a plastic cookie jar left in a trash can! The cub’s head became stuck in the cookie jar after trying to eat what remained in the jar. Once approached by humans attempting to help, the cub climbed a tree but became stuck when the jar lodged between tree branches. Just like Winnie the Pooh getting stuck in Rabbit’s house!

bear_stuck_vert-f507c86c30727fb42464cbd4d30cbc1c63888e61-s3-c85
(Reuters)

The cub was tranquilized, rescued, and the jar cut off his head. The cub is only around 6 months old and is now at an animal rehabilitation facility.

bear-cookie-jar1
(AP Photo)

Please, if you live around bears use common sense when disposing of your trash. Wash food containers and crush items like this cookie jar, and use a “bear proof” trash can or don’t leave trash out unnecessarily. Undiscovered, this bear cub would probably have died unable to remove the plastic container. We are all responsible for the safety of wildlife.

-Fizz

Disneynature Bears

Disneynature’s new movie Bears is out in theaters today!

96994cdeb15f11f86c20abd2d857d494c1b62af5

The movie follows a mother brown bear and her two cubs as the cubs experience life in Alaska outside their den for the first time.

If you see Bears opening week Disney will make a donation to the National Park Foundation to help protect wildlife and the places they call home. This corresponds with Earth Day, which is next week Tuesday.

Here are a couple more images from the movie:
5cf8af8f38bd8e22fe9d77414730f323ee84a3ff

e79e5969252c666cca5abca879bb8cb348e0bbbe

You can see even more pictures and read more about the movie at nature.disney.com.

Go see Bears this week and help support our National Parks!

-Fizz

National Teddy Bear Day

Today, September 9th, is National Teddy Bear Day!

I know, everyday is something new really these days. I do think that celebrating the adorable and fuzzy teddy bear is a neat idea. Many people have had a special teddy bear in their lives.

Here is my oldest and most loved teddy bear:
IMG_20130909_161948

I got this bear as a baby and have had him ever since. I love this bear! Well, I guess that is obvious since I still have her. She is so well loved that I do not know what company she is from, but she still has her bows and a little bell in one ear.

Here is my Stieff teddy bear Molly:
IMG_20130909_162025
Love Steiff! Such quality, craftsmanship, and product choice. The only drawback is the cost, which is why I only have one bear.

Of course, I love Pooh Bear:
104_4828

Did you have a special teddy bear as a child? Do you collect stuffed bears now?

 


Addition:
As part of National Teddy Bear Day Boyds Bears launched a new design for their website and is having a contest. If you visit boydsstuff.com you can enter to win a teddy bear. As part of the contest you have to like and comment on their facebook page. I am not sure how they know you are the same person entering on their site and then commenting/liking their FB page, but that is how they designed the contest.

Do not know anything about Boyds Bears? They were quite a popular line at gift shops and Hallmark stores around where I live. I had quite a few of the stuffed bears and their resin figures when I was growing up (I kept them as collectibles). The company has been in business since 1979, and specializes in making high quality teddy bears with unique designs and adorable faces. The company expanded over the years to make home decor, gift items, resin figures, and toys tested for children. Check out their new website to see their current lines, a history of the outfits their bears have worn, how to care for your stuffed bear friends, and much more.

Here are some examples of the Boyd Heirloom line:
Bella Bearloom
4021505

Greyson Bearlove
4036056_large

Teddie Bearloom
4021509