Newsweek
Girl sees polar bear at zoo, shock over what happens when she gets close
Shannon Kelly told Newsweek she and her daughter were one of the first visitors of the day at Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg.
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Startled by a Splash: Polar Bear's Playful Dive at Winnipeg Zoo Sparks Debate
Winnipeg, MB – A recent video capturing a dramatic interaction between a young visitor and a polar bear at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg has garnered significant attention online, sparking conversations about animal welfare and zoo environments. The short clip shows a young girl, holding a teddy bear, standing before the large underwater viewing area of the polar bear exhibit. Suddenly, a polar bear charges towards the glass, creating a large splash that visibly startles the child, causing her to cry out and cling to her toy. The video, uploaded by user Shannon, quickly went viral, accumulating nearly a million views. While many viewers expressed sympathy for the startled child, a substantial portion of the comments section ignited a broader discussion on the ethics of keeping polar bears in captivity. Some users voiced strong opposition to zoos, stating, "Those poor animals," and "This is horrific that poor polar bear." However, other commenters defended the Assiniboine Park Zoo, highlighting its specific conservation efforts. One user noted, "The Winnipeg zoo had this facility built in 2012 specifically to care for polar bears that cannot survive in the wild on their own. These bears are closely monitored by the Government of Manitoba, and they are extremely well cared for!" Another added that the facility is "The International Polar Bear Conservation Centre," emphasizing its role in research and conservation. The incident underscores the ongoing public dialogue surrounding zoos and their role in conservation versus entertainment, particularly for iconic species like polar bears.
