PETA Statement re Distressed Polar Bears at Dalian Shengya Ocean World

Please see the following statement from PETA Senior Vice President Jason Baker regarding video footage of distressed polar bears being fed beer and unhealthy food at the notorious Dalian Shengya Ocean World:

Polar bears are particularly ill-suited to life behind bars. They’re adapted to roam over hundreds of square kilometers of Arctic territory with vast open water – which no aquarium or zoo can come close to providing. They need space in which to roam as well as the opportunity to hunt and swim, not beer and unhealthy foods. Oxford University researchers determined that a typical zoo enclosure for a polar bear is only about a millionth of the minimum size of their home range.

 

Polar bears in captivity quickly develop abnormal and neurotic behaviour, from swimming laps in pools day and night to endlessly pacing. Some zoos have resorted to giving them antidepressants in order to try to curb their anxiety.

 

PETA urges people to avoid Dalian Shengya Ocean World and all other facilities where animals are confined for entertainment.