WORLD‘Saddest polar bear in the world’ dies

THE devastating last days of Arturo, known as the “saddest polar bear in the world” have been revealed.

The polar bear was forced to live in a hot Argentinian enclosure for years but died at 31-years-old over the weekend.




Arturo died at 31-years-old after living in the Argentinian enclosure for more than two decadesArturo died at 31-years-old after living in the Argentinian enclosure for more than two decades
Arturo was known as the "saddest polar bear in the world" after being left in the hot enclosure in Argentina
Arturo was known as the “saddest polar bear in the world” after being left in the hot enclosure in Argentina


He died on Sunday “due to a blood circulation imbalance” which caused a general decline in the bear who was already weak due to old age, the zoo said in a statement.

Officials at the controversial zoo where the polar bear lived confirmed the news, with animal activists left devastated by his death.

In one of the last photographs of Arturo, taken on June 17, the bear can be seen collapsed in the corner of his enclosure.

His normally white fur brown, Arturo forlornly lies next to a forgotten red ball.

It is understood he was kept in an enclosure that would often reach over 30 degrees.

Arturo is just one of the more than 60 animals to die over recent months at the zoo in the western city of Mendoza.

Other animals were struck down by infections blamed on poor conditions at the zoo, but Arturo’s death was linked to old age.

The bear struggled after its companion died in 2012
The bear struggled after its companion died in 2012 and is one of more than 60 animals who have died at the zoo in recent months
Arturo was judged to be too old to be moved to the cooler climes of Canada
Arturo was judged to be too old to be moved to the cooler climes of Canada


Despite environmentalists campaigning for the ageing bear to be transferred to colder climates in Canada, the bear was forced to live out his days in a hot concrete enclosure in Argentina.

The polar bear arrived in Argentina about 23 years ago from the United States.

He was christened “the saddest polar bear in the world” after losing his companion, Pelusa, in 2012.

People visiting the zoo often saw Arturo walking around his concrete enclosure and going for a swim in a pool just 20 inches deep.

Animal rights activist organisation PETA tweeted their sadness at the death of the polar bear.