What's a Polar Bear Doing in the Tropics? - Animal Concerns ...

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3.2.4 Algal growth in furInuka covered in algae.Both bears have in the past shown signs of algal growth in the hair shaft,causing their fur to turn green. The algae responsible are thought to beblue-green algae (Cyanophyta) which grow inside the hollow outer guardhairs. 54Green fur is apparently a phenomenon only ever seen in captive polar bearsand only in warm weather. There have been no comparable records of greenbears in the wild, and no algal associations have been found with the peltsof wild bears. 54The algae itself does not harm the bear; it is what the algae signifies that isthe problem. In captive polar bears in the summer months the habitat of thehollow hairs suit the algal cells well as it is warm and moist. 54The rampant algal infestation of the fur of the Singapore zoo polar bears istherefore a clear indication that their fur is warm and moist which stronglysuggests their bodies are hot and also indicates that their fur is damp forsubstantial periods of time. The appearance of algae in the hair shaft istherefore likely to be partly caused by the fact that the bears have no softsubstrates that they can use to dry off when they come out of the water.What’s a polar bear doing in the tropics?32www.acres.org.sg
3.3 ConclusionThe polar bears are undoubtedly too hot living in Singapore’s climate. Theyare physiologically adapted to an Arctic climate and simply cannot adapt toa tropical climate.There is no doubt that Singapore Zoo recognises the fact that the climate inSingapore is hot and it is uncomfortable to be outdoors in the heat as itoffers numerous air-conditioned facilities for visitors.While air-conditioned dens in the back area of the enclosure are provided tothe polar bears, the dens are grossly undersized.If the male bear lies down sprawled on his belly on the floor of his den, hewill fill the whole space. If he chooses to enter the air-conditioned dens, hewill therefore be confined to an extremely small area. If he remains in theopen-air enclosure, he will suffer from heat stress. Therefore, either way,he will be uncomfortable.Singapore Zoo does recognise the need for some animals, such as the jackasspenguins, to have fully air-conditioned enclosures.For the short-term improvement of the welfare of the polar bears, a fullyair-conditioned enclosure and chilled pool water should be provided for thebears.However, in the long-term, once Sheba passes away, Inuka should berelocated to a facility where the local climate is more suitable.What’s a polar bear doing in the tropics?33www.acres.org.sg
Page 16 and 17: animal is diving. They also eat car
Page 18 and 19: individual’s own choices. This ab
Page 20 and 21: Following his investigations into t
Page 22 and 23: What’s a polar bear doing in the
Page 24 and 25: Accommodation20 All animal accommod
Page 26 and 27: Table 3.1 Categories of behaviours
Page 28 and 29: TABLE 3.5 Lying flat behaviour prof
Page 30 and 31: 3.2.1 Adaptation to Arctic coldPola
Page 32 and 33: 3.2.2 Reasons for panting and lying
Page 34 and 35: 3.2.3 Heat stress experienced in Si
Page 36 and 37: the pool area. However, theeffectiv
Page 42 and 43: Table 4.1 Categories of behaviours
Page 44 and 45: TABLE 4.4 Activity pattern of Sheba
Page 46 and 47: TABLE 4.6 Abnormal behaviour profil
Page 48 and 49: 4.2.1 Prevalence of abnormal stereo
Page 50 and 51: to more space, a more complex, quie
Page 52 and 53: Guidelines and LegislationsGuidelin
Page 54 and 55: equirements stated in the Province
Page 56 and 57: problem with these old designs is t
Page 58 and 59: SubstrateThe polar bear enclosure d
Page 60 and 61: In the 2004 report, Acresrecommende
Page 62 and 63: FurnitureThe enclosure does not pro
Page 64 and 65: Private areasThe lack of private ar
Page 66 and 67: 5.1.2 Problems in husbandryUse/acce
Page 68 and 69: At a workshop on the Behavioural Ne
Page 70 and 71: disintegrating objects in an enclos
Page 72 and 73: interesting. At no time were the be
Page 74 and 75: 5.2.3 Condition of teeth 10Sheba ha
Page 76 and 77: demonstrating species-appropriate b
Page 80 and 81: Today there is just one polar bear
Page 84 and 85: Providing natural substrates in enc
Page 86 and 87: Stimulating olfactory and rubbing b
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What’s a polar bear doing in the
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Singapore Zoo states that they are
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22. Wood, D. 1995. Bears. Whitecap
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66. Baars, D. and Weegenaar, A. 199
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APPENDIX I: GUIDELINES FOR ENCLOSUR
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• For polar bears the ratio of wa
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APPENDIX IV: GUIDELINES FOR SUBSTRA
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APPENDIX VI: GUIDELINES FOR PRIVATE
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• Environmental enrichment should
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