Post by micki on Jan 6, 2008 18:20:29 GMT
Polar Bears Face Death Over Zoo Decision
Updated:18:07, Sunday January 06, 2008
Three polar bear cubs could soon starve to death because their mother has neglected them and a zoo has decided not to rear them by hand.
Vera has neglected cubs Officials do not want a repeat of Knutmania, where a cub at another zoo received worldwide fame when it was taken care of by keepers after its mother rejected it.
In the latest case, the adult bear, Vera, gave birth three weeks ago at Nuremberg Zoo in southern Germany and has shown no interest in her young.
She often leaves her cave, where her babies can be heard crying to be fed, and she spends hours outside her lair.
By contrast, another mother, called Wilma, also had three cubs just over a month ago and has displayed signs of being a good parent.
Knut was abandoned by his mother at birth and animal rights activists said he should die rather than be raised by humans.
But Berlin Zoo officials disagreed and Knut became an international sensation.
He has been on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine and a Hollywood film company is negotiating the rights to his story.
Knut as cub in 2007However, Nuremberg Zoo says its keepers will not intervene over the cubs, despite calls from the public to do so.
Deputy director Helmut Maegdefrau said: "We expect to be branded as being cruel to animals. If you don't let the mothers practice, they'll never learn how to bring up their cubs. We're cautiously optimistic.
"Berlin Zoo did a terrific job hand-rearing Knut from day one. But we want to avoid Knutmania at all costs.
"If people spend hours queuing up to see a polar bear cub, there's something wrong. We've got a baby giraffe too, that's just as cute."
Bernhard Blaskiewitz, Berlin Zoo director, said he disagreed with Nuremberg's policy, adding: "We have no concerns for the welfare of Knut."
So wot does everyone think? should they be hand reared or left to die??
Updated:18:07, Sunday January 06, 2008
Three polar bear cubs could soon starve to death because their mother has neglected them and a zoo has decided not to rear them by hand.
Vera has neglected cubs Officials do not want a repeat of Knutmania, where a cub at another zoo received worldwide fame when it was taken care of by keepers after its mother rejected it.
In the latest case, the adult bear, Vera, gave birth three weeks ago at Nuremberg Zoo in southern Germany and has shown no interest in her young.
She often leaves her cave, where her babies can be heard crying to be fed, and she spends hours outside her lair.
By contrast, another mother, called Wilma, also had three cubs just over a month ago and has displayed signs of being a good parent.
Knut was abandoned by his mother at birth and animal rights activists said he should die rather than be raised by humans.
But Berlin Zoo officials disagreed and Knut became an international sensation.
He has been on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine and a Hollywood film company is negotiating the rights to his story.
Knut as cub in 2007However, Nuremberg Zoo says its keepers will not intervene over the cubs, despite calls from the public to do so.
Deputy director Helmut Maegdefrau said: "We expect to be branded as being cruel to animals. If you don't let the mothers practice, they'll never learn how to bring up their cubs. We're cautiously optimistic.
"Berlin Zoo did a terrific job hand-rearing Knut from day one. But we want to avoid Knutmania at all costs.
"If people spend hours queuing up to see a polar bear cub, there's something wrong. We've got a baby giraffe too, that's just as cute."
Bernhard Blaskiewitz, Berlin Zoo director, said he disagreed with Nuremberg's policy, adding: "We have no concerns for the welfare of Knut."
So wot does everyone think? should they be hand reared or left to die??