A polar bear named Arturo, who was forced to endure life in captivity in Argentina, recently died due to “complications from old age.”
On July 3, 2016, a polar bear named Arturo died in Argentina due to “complications from old age.” Located at the Mendoza Zoological Park in the South American country, Arturo had earned the title of the ‘world’s saddest polar bear’, as he not only endured living in an abnormal climate for most of his life, he was also showing worrying signs of insanity after his mate died two years ago.
Despite activists employing their best efforts to ensure Arturo returned back to the Arctic, where he should have been thriving in -40C temperatures rather than 40C heat, he had to live his remaining years in a cement enclosure in the zoo.
Polar Bears can live past 40 years, but the zoo refused to relocate Arturo back to the Arctic because they claimed he was too old to make the journey. The lack of initiative resulted in the sad polar bear passing away just days ago.
An advocacy page for Arturo announced on its Facebook page:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts to inform you that Dear Arturo gave up his fight to live, and passed away today. Arturo I wish you had known of the so many people worldwide who loved you, who fought for you, who tried so hard to bring your plight more awareness.”
In the past, hundreds of thousands of activists, as well as A-list actors, signed petitions and took to social media to express their disdain for the conditions Arturo had to live in. Even Cher, an actor who helped raise awareness about the Flint, Michigan, water crisis, Tweeted:
“Don’t cry for me Argentina? No tears of Mrs. Christina Fernandez de Kirchner for tortured polar bear Arturo. Your hands are stained with his blood when he dies.”
Unfortunately, animal rights advocates’ efforts, though admirable, didn’t result in Arturo’s release, and he eventually died in the enclosure which can sometimes reach 100 degrees C during Argentina’s summers.
Barry MacKay, senior program associate at Born Free USA, commented on the tragic news:
“Arturo spent a lifetime in conditions that I think would be inherently stressful and unkind to him as an animal. I think it’s a tragic situation, and I hope that we can put an end to keeping these animals in environments that aren’t good for them.”
It might be too late for Arturo, but perhaps the public will learn from the polar bear’s passing and have more regard for wild animals and their need to thrive freely in the future.
RIP Arturo.
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Oh God, You show mercy on all of us. Let it be, that when your Son Jesus, The Christ returns, the ones that are left behind know of your existence. Seeing this Poor Polar Bear in this state rips me from one side to another. Not a care in all the world could have helped Arturo cause if so, it would have been done. I share this prayer with those that believe in your Son Jesus, to give them hope and to not forget that our time isn’t forever and there for this life, isn’t forever either. The pain will go away, the news, violence, sadness, sickness, confusion will all come to light through You. It is sad for us to see this go down, so we anon’s give glory to you knowing this isn’t forever. We do what we can LORD to spread the word not for people to get down about, but for those that believe, believe in you and what all anon’s do. Help, feed, tell the truth, live for those that can’t and most of all, pray to a God above all god’s to fight our fight’s and help us with the fight of our lives. Regardless of what may be said to anyone of us that live for you our LORD Jesus Christ, we know one thing…
Your right. So pour out your 7 bowls upon the Earth and show us all mercy, no more. Amen.
argentina is a horrible country
this makes me sick, you know that’s considered a form of torture, leaving someone in a room that’s hot for an extended period of time, it has all kinds of negative effects on both brain chemistry and regular bodily functions. My heart goes out to this poor creature, if we could switch places I would in a heartbeat if only it meant that you wouldn’t have to suffer like this one more day.
I feel shame for the human race,
Zoo=Animals Prison
I cant watch the video, the thumb nail shows me how this poor bears spirit is broken, shame on all those involved in this case, may your judgement be swift, may this serve as a lesson to others, R.I.P Arturo, run free!!
Should stick the owner in a sauna his whole life and see how he/she likes it the dimb ass