=> Topic started by: Zainab_M on August 03, 2008, 04:09:02 am => Topic started by: Zainab_M on August 03, 2008, 04:09:02 am|
Title: World's oldest polar bear may not live too long Post by: Zainab_M on August 03, 2008, 04:09:02 am (http://i.imgur.com/hNAtaef.jpg) Debby, world's oldest polar bear (41 years old) in Winnipeg Zoo The average life of polar bears living in the wild is around 25 years or less. In captivity since they are better looked after, they live longer, usually upto their 30s. Debby is 41. She's frail and developing a number of health problems. But she's still alive. However, her prognosis isn't too encouraging. Though she's well looked after, age is becoming a glaring factor with Debby and no one knows for how long she may survive. In fact, her health is declining so rapidly, she may not live to see her 42nd birthday in December. She's been attracting plenty of visitors of all ages since the last three generations. Everyone loves her at the zoo. Debby is a 'native' of freezing Northern Russia. She was born there and orphaned while still a cub. She arrived in Winnipeg Zoo in 1967 as a cub. Debby's "husband," Skipper, died in 1999 at age 34. They produced six kids .. quite a family! Thus, Debby is not only the oldest polar bear, but the oldest "widowed" polar bear in the world. The Guinness Book of World Records has crowned Debby the world's oldest bear. Debby's story at Toronto Star (http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/470973) |