S. Korea's Last Polar Bear Dies Ahead Of British Retirement
Faizan Hashmi Published October 18, 2018 | 03:17 PM
The last polar bear kept in South Korea has died of old age only weeks before his planned departure to better living conditions in Britain, zoo officials said Thursday.
Seoul, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Oct, 2018 ) :The last polar bear kept in South Korea has died of old age only weeks before his planned departure to better living conditions in Britain, zoo officials said Thursday.
Tongki -- a 23-year-old male named after a Japanese cartoon character of the 1980s -- lived in a 330-square-metre (3,500-square-foot) concrete enclosure at the Everland theme park outside Seoul.
The zoo had planned to move him to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park next month to allow him to enjoy his final days in more appropriate surroundings -- the facility in northern England has a 40,000 square metre polar reserve -- and had thrown him a farewell party in June.
But Tongki was found dead on Wednesday night and autopsy results suggested that he appeared to have died of old age, the zoo said in a statement, adding it plans to conduct more tests to determine the exact reason for his death.
The average life span of polar bears is around 25 years and Tongki was the equivalent of around 80 in human terms.
"We have designated this week as a period of mourning for Tongki and decorated his living space so visitors can say farewell," a zoo official told AFP.
Born in captivity at a zoo in the southern city of Masan, Tongki was the only polar bear still living in South Korea and had been alone at Everland since the last fellow resident of his species died three years ago.
Everland said Tongki will not be replaced, and other South Korean zoos have no plans to import the animals, which are classed as "vulnerable" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of endangered species.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PM vows to work for country along with students
US ambassador meets Senate Chairman, discusses bilateral ties
UHS to issue MBBS degrees within three months after final result
Aiman Khan granted UAE Golden Visa
PSX achieves significant milestone, surpasses 72,000 mark
Pak Vs NZ T20I: Orphaned children extended special invitation to watch match
Finance Minister lauds UNDP’s unwavering support during floods
President Raisi leaves for Iran from Karachi
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 24 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 24 April 2024
Punjab CM inaugurates Pakistan’s first Virtual Women Police Station
Dutch model Donny Roelvink embraces Islam
More Stories From World
-
Record-breaking London stocks spearhead global rally
6 minutes ago -
'City Hunter' manga hero drops the sexism for new live-action film
6 minutes ago -
Russian deputy defence minister held over bribery accusations
6 minutes ago -
Danger warning issued for Bangkok as extreme heat bites
17 minutes ago -
Iran cuts Syria presence after strikes blamed on Israel: monitor
26 minutes ago -
Four injured as escaped army horses bolt through central London
27 minutes ago
-
Biden pledges swift weapons delivery to Ukraine
36 minutes ago -
Ukraine attack drones strike Russia energy sites
56 minutes ago -
UK Rwanda deportation law leaves asylum seekers fearful
1 hour ago -
More floods expected in China's Pearl River basin: ministry
1 hour ago -
Water release resumes after partial power outage at Fukushima plant
1 hour ago -
Spain court says investigating PM's wife for graft
1 hour ago