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