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11/05/2009
More on the Hairless Bears of Leipzig, Germany
Here's some footage from Leipzig, Germany of the bears I featured in the news round-up yesterday which are suddenly losing all of their fur, via The Awl.
Says the reporter: "Zookeepers know that the Spectacled Bears have a disease, but they don't know which one."
Maybe it's the disease you get when you're kept for years in a brick and asphalt prison that feels nothing like your natural habitat?
Just a thought.
Clip, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 12:25 PM EST by Andy Towle in Germany, Nature, News | Permalink
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I'm sure this is very sad if you're a vegan, but what's shocking to me is that this looks almost exactly like the Montauk Monster.
Posted by: Donovan | Nov 5, 2009 12:36:25 PM
You know, I don't even know HOW she can show her face at that marriage equality rally--has she NO shame? ....What? What's that...oh, this isn't the posting about Maggie Gallagher at the DC rally? ....I am SO sorry...the likeness is unbelievable, really...and I don't mean to insult the balding spectacled bears.
Posted by: MackMichael | Nov 5, 2009 12:38:44 PM
I thought Maggie Gallagher was in DC?
Posted by: JohnInManhattan | Nov 5, 2009 12:38:45 PM
johninmanhattan....I like the way you think! ;o)
Posted by: MackMichael | Nov 5, 2009 12:41:52 PM
More Frank DeCaro than a Maggie Gallagher.
Posted by: Boris | Nov 5, 2009 12:57:28 PM
Zoos are cruel spectacles with a propensity for abuse. They're mockeries and false attempts at educating the public. But what else is new...
absolutely nuthin'!
Posted by: ED2 | Nov 5, 2009 1:31:39 PM
What's with all the hating on zoos? I assume you all are buying up land in South America to provide safe habitats for these animals then? Either that, or you must be starting your own breeding programs in the wild, since this is a vulnerable species. I'm sure you have a great reason for bashing captive breeding and conservation efforts.
Posted by: brennigans | Nov 5, 2009 2:19:58 PM
When I saw a story about hairless bears this was not what I was expecting.
Posted by: Ctopher | Nov 5, 2009 2:45:44 PM
Well said Brennigans. Zoos contribute oodles to the preservation of endangered species, many now existing only in zoos due to habitat loss. I won't deny much (maybe equal) attention is paid to the turnstiles.
Regarding the hair loss, to me it looks like simple mange I see on dogs here in the 3rd world, but I would guess that would be obvious to any vet. A simple anti-parisitic med (injection) would fix 'em up good as new in a few weeks. But being Germany, I would imagine it's something more complex as they have a leading reputation in first-class zoological parks and aquariums.
Posted by: castaway | Nov 5, 2009 7:17:56 PM
Big deal. Who hasn't seen a smooth bear or cub before?
Posted by: John in Boston | Nov 6, 2009 3:35:54 AM
i strongly support the idea that this hair loss is due to having been kept caged up in very unnatural conditions. depression can have strange and strong impacts on all beings.
Posted by: kat | Nov 8, 2009 4:27:47 PM