Bare bears baffle zookeepers with baldness
Female bears at a German zoo have gone bald, drawing in thousands of tourists eager to gape at their nudity.
By Stephanie RogersThu, Nov 05 2009 at 1:00 PM EST
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Photo: The Daily Mail It’s a startling sight: a female bear, bald all over her body except for a crown of hair on her head and a few tufts on her chest. Poor Dolores must be feeling naked after losing her fur coat — an ordeal made all the more un-bear-able as thousands of people crowd a German zoo to get a peek at her.
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Dolores isn’t the only furless bear at this Leipzig zoo — all three females have mysteriously lost their coats, while the males remain unaffected.
Experts say the hair loss could be caused by a genetic defect. On top of losing their coats, the female bears are suffering from rashes and skin inflammation. Zoo workers rub the bears with ointment to relieve itching.
“They have been suffering from this for a few years now and are in treatment. It goes through different phases of intensity,” Leipzig Zoo spokesperson Melanie Ginzel told German news source The Local. She says that experts are investigating the problem.
At this time of year, as winter closes in, these South American Andean bears would normally be growing a thick coat to keep them warm. But according to Ginzel, the bald bears won’t suffer through the cold despite their wrinkly vulnerability.
“The bears are allowed to move where they please, and have a warm interior enclosure they can go to any time.”
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Comments
Trickymaus
11/09/2009 20:38 PM
Will someone please email the Salmon/Fatty Acids recommendation to the people at the Leipzig Zoo? Please, this is too sad to see.
Donald Trump
11/06/2009 13:22 PM
This story has moved me so much, I am donating all of my old hairpieces so they can be knit together to provide the bears with new coats.
Caitie
11/06/2009 09:16 AM
You know, they're still kind of cute in a bizarre way.
I hope they get better soon, though!
Elizabeth
11/06/2009 07:55 AM
These poor bears! I feel so sad for them. I hope someone finds a way to help them get their fur back.
Animal Nutrition Gal
11/05/2009 19:34 PM
Sounds like the bears aren't getting enough essential fatty acids in their diets. Someone tell the zoo to throw out the bear chow and start feeding whole live foods and see what happens. Salmon oil is high in essential fatty acids and has been used effectively for dogs and cats with skin conditions for years. You can't fool Mother Nature, throw them a salmon!
Sam
11/05/2009 22:12 PM
What will fatty acids do to cause them to regenerate their hair?
animal nutrition gal
11/06/2009 15:06 PM
Essential fatty acids will help the underlying issue, which are damaged cells. The cell barrier protects against antioxidant damage - like the sun - and also helps prevent wastes from entering the cell amongst other functions. EFA's will help build that cell wall which also helps the cells store water, resulting in proper skin health that will allow hair to grow. EFA's also protect against inflammation which can result in hair loss. Also good for the heart, joints, etc. Salmon is also a.... More
