Polar bear attacks woman at Berlin Zoo

[Poll_Blind]

Just cruising CNN and noticed this story. Here is a link to the story on CNN but I warn you it is graphic and shows the polar bear attacking the woman. (link HERE)

I do not know why anyone would do such a thing. I can only presume some form of mental illness or delusion. Without intending to downplay (in any way, really) the injuries that this woman received it makes me sad that we place wild animals into situations where they may come in contact with the less-stable side of humanity.

While zoos have come a long way from what they once were, I look forward to the day where the animals may be observed in such a manner that they are unaware of (the bulk) of their human observers while in an artificial habitat.

PB

OnEdit: After watching the actual video of her rescue on CNN, it appears whatever ideas caused her to want to join the polar bears were quickly abandoned once she was actually bitten by one. As with any interaction of this nature one should always consider that if these bears wanted her dead it would have been very easy for them to do so long before help arrived. They did appear pissed though or, more realistically, confused and agitated by an unfamiliar intruder into their little, captive, world.

[saltpoint]

1. Can't say what motivated the woman to scale the fence to join the

polar bear.

From a distance, it doesn't occur to me to be a very good idea.

[Lerkfish]

3. well, up close, the idea doesn't get any better

:)

[saltpoint]

4. LOL! Agree. The woman may have had a reason to climb in with a

polar bear but I'm struggling to imagine what it was.

[Lerkfish]

6. she might be mentally unbalanced

that's a strong possibility.

I cannot imagine a SANE reason for doing so -- unless if she was trying to make some sort of bizarre political or animal rights point, in which case she failed miserably.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. The Polar Bears are reported say, "Man, that was a nasty tasting seal that got away"

[Vanje]

5. When one dangles oneself as bait.....

over a cage full of 800 lb carnivores , it may just turn out badly for one.

[Lerkfish]

7. well, its bad news for the bears, too

this throws off their carefully monitored diet and now the zookeepers will have to start adding human meat to their diet and gradually weaning them off it. Unless there's a "human meat" patch they can wear until their cravings subside.


:)

[madrchsod]

8. woman attacks polar bear....

after all she`s the one that invaded their home

[Warpy]

9. Here a lot of habitats have sidewalks considerably above

the critter enclosures. Unless the critters hyperextend their necks to look way up, they don't see us that much.

The polar bear enclosure is surrounded by glass, with views under the water as well as above it. They see a mirrored surface (more ice, I guess, to a polar bear) and visitors get to see something that huge playing in water.

It's impractical for insane visitors to get into most of the enclosures because it would involve a considerable fall.

A well thought out zoo is a thing of beauty. A poorly thought out one is just plain sad.

[elocs]

10. The day is soon coming when zoos will be the only places to see many wild animals

due to habitat destruction and poaching. That includes both polar bears and likely lions.