OT Meet Gus
http://tinyurl.com/9eo99 I was glad to see this pic of Gus, our world-famous polar bear. Gus lives in the Central Park Zoo, and several years ago, he used to swim back and forth in his pool in a mesmerizingly (and rather distressingly) repetitive way. Gus wasn't even interested in the lady polar bears who lived with him. Animal behaviorists diagnosed Gus as suffering from stress and boredom-- and Gus became world-famous as the "Neurotic Polar Bear," supposedly living proof that life in the Big Apple could make *anybody* a little off-the-wall. Indeed, off-the-wall was part of Gus's swimming pattern, always making an impressively powerful kick off the wall of his pool. ;) Gus's keepers really stepped up to the plate, and did everything they could to enrich his environment-- gave him lots of toys, little puzzles, snacks that he had to figure out how to get. It did wonders for Gus *and* his two girlfriends. Gus has stopped the repetitive swimming, and spends time playing, socializing, swimming-- when he feels like it-- and taking naps. And now zoos everywhere are much more aware of the needs for their animals to have stimulating environments. I have very mixed feelings about zoos, but I'm always glad to see any improvement they can come up with. Doesn't Gus look great? And relaxed, right smack in the center of Manhattan? Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War |
OT Meet Gus
Kreisleriana wrote:
http://tinyurl.com/9eo99 Gus's keepers really stepped up to the plate, and did everything they could to enrich his environment-- gave him lots of toys, little puzzles, snacks that he had to figure out how to get. It did wonders for Gus *and* his two girlfriends. Gus has stopped the repetitive swimming, and spends time playing, socializing, swimming-- when he feels like it-- and taking naps. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War He's pretending he's a cat!! Nice photo, thanks! Jill |
OT Meet Gus
On Sun, 23 Oct 2005 10:44:14 -0500, "jmcquown"
yodeled: Kreisleriana wrote: http://tinyurl.com/9eo99 Gus's keepers really stepped up to the plate, and did everything they could to enrich his environment-- gave him lots of toys, little puzzles, snacks that he had to figure out how to get. It did wonders for Gus *and* his two girlfriends. Gus has stopped the repetitive swimming, and spends time playing, socializing, swimming-- when he feels like it-- and taking naps. Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War He's pretending he's a cat!! Nice photo, thanks! Jill Gus is HUGELY popular, as well as huge. ;) Theresa Stinky Pictures: http://community.webshots.com/album/125591586JWEFwh My Blog: http://www.humanitas.blogspot.com Make Levees, Not War |
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:48 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
CatBanter.com