After being held captive alone for 300 days in a mall aquarium in Southern China, the world’s saddest polar bear named will finally get some relief.
His move, however, will only be temporary while the aquarium undergoes renovations.
The polar bear, named Pizza, has had a journey that’s sparked worldwide attention as animal activists have campaigned for the bear’s permanent relocation to a more suitable environment. Pizza has resided at the Grandview Mall in the Southern Chinese City of Guangzhou, and has lived in cramped quarters in the shopping center’s ocean theme park.
China policy specialist at Humane Society International, Peter Li, said: “At last he will feel the sun on his fur, sniff fresh air and see the sky above him,” but continued, “No amount of renovation could ever make a shopping mall a suitable place for this animal, and to send him back now would be cruel and heartless.”
Li believes that pressure from the international community has contributed to the mall’s decision, but so has Pizza’s declining health.
According to The Guardian, on numerous occasions, Pizza displayed unhealthy behaviors such as head swaying and pacing that animal experts say are signs of distress and mental decline.
Patrons visiting the mall aquarium have also tormented Pizza by banging on the glass and taking selfie photos with the flash from the camera blinding him. So far, half a million people have signed a petition urging the aquarium to permanently send Pizza home.
But according to BBC, it’s not even certain if the mall’s renovations include making a larger enclosure for Pizza.
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We’re praying for you, Pizza!
[Featured Image Credit: Animals Asia]
World’s Saddest Polar Bear Just Got The Best News He Could Have Ever Hoped For is an article from: LifeDaily