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Bear chokes to death on meat at Abilene Zoo
HoustonChronicle.com ^
| Dec. 15, 2004
| Associated Press
Posted on 12/15/2004 3:04:15 PM PST by Max Combined
ABILENE -- One of the two American black bears at the Abilene Zoo died after apparently choking on a piece of meat.
Boo Boo's body was found about 5 p.m. Monday, 30 minutes after the bears were fed. Once the second bear, Teddy, 13, was moved, the zoo staff made a quick examination and confirmed that Boo Boo, 9, had died.
Dr. Clay Hilton, the zoo's consulting veterinarian, said Boo Boo must have eaten quickly and regurgitated a large, unchewed piece of meat that lodged in his windpipe.
Boo Boo was known for his never-ending quest for snacks and his cool dips in a pond.
"We try and do everything we possibly can to provide a safe environment for the animals," said Stephanie DeGesero, the zoo's mammal supervisor. "Weird things like this just happen, even if you do things right by the numbers. It's probably something that would never happen again."
The normal life expectancy of an American black bear in captivity is 15 to 20 years, DeGesero said.
Boo Boo came to the zoo with Teddy in 2000. Their exhibit was renovated in 2002, creating more space for the pair to exercise and forage.
DeGesero said the zoo will contact institutions that help place bears, whether orphaned or in other situations, many free of charge, to try to find a new bear.
Jeff Bullock, the Abilene Zoo's director, said that the zoo did not carry any insurance on Boo Boo and would try to replace him by working with the various environmental groups.
"Like lives of our own, there are times that a freak accident occurs and there is little that can be done to change the outcome," Bullock said in a statement.
TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: aptlynamed; clintondeathlist; couldhavehadav8; icantbearthisnews; thebearknewtoomuch; vegetarian; whenisabearapig; yeahrightvincefoster; zoo
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To: Americanwolfsbrother
Yogi was qouted as saying: "It is a shame that BOO BOO went out they way he did... I always thought he was a straight bear."
(ok maybe a bit much...mods remove it if you must!)
21
posted on
12/15/2004 3:19:30 PM PST
by
Americanwolf
(Democratic Underground... Digital Crack for the the loony left.....Hey troll! Put the pipe down!)
To: Max Combined
Man. PETA will have a field day with this.
22
posted on
12/15/2004 3:19:41 PM PST
by
atomicpossum
(I am the Cat that walks by himself, and all places are alike to me.)
To: Max Combined
It would be fitting if the Mamas and the Papas performed at the funeral.
To: San Jacinto
He's gonna be heartbroken over this.
The Lord never gives us more than we can bear....
24
posted on
12/15/2004 3:21:45 PM PST
by
MaryFromMichigan
(We childproofed our home, but they are still getting in)
To: vetvetdoug
The chiwawa the killed the great dane? Yeah, 'e got stuck in 'is t'roat...
25
posted on
12/15/2004 3:21:54 PM PST
by
patton
(Changing culture is like moving a cemetary. You don't get much help from the residents.)
To: Max Combined
how can you have any pudding if you don't chew your meat?
26
posted on
12/15/2004 3:24:46 PM PST
by
Rakkasan1
(Justice of the Piece: Hope IS on the way...)
To: CollegeRepublican
Easier way to catch a bear:
Go to a frozen pond,cut a hole in the ice, open a can of peas and spread them around the hole.
Go hide in the bushes and when the bear comes out to take a pea, run over and kick him in the ice hole.
27
posted on
12/15/2004 3:25:42 PM PST
by
Graybeard58
(Remember and pray for Spec.4 Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
To: MaryFromMichigan
The Lord never gives us more than we can bear....Yes, I guess Boo Boo had a lot to be thankful for. The hamburger meat was Grade A Choice.
On the other hand, he bearly tasted it.
To: Max Combined
Just goes to show you that meat is very very bad for you!
29
posted on
12/15/2004 3:27:02 PM PST
by
Poohbah
(Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women!)
To: Max Combined
Buh Bye Boo Boo...
30
posted on
12/15/2004 3:30:25 PM PST
by
Stars N Stripes
(When a 20 footer sneaks up like a ton a lead, an the crest comes along and slaps um up side the head)
To: Max Combined
31
posted on
12/15/2004 3:30:33 PM PST
by
itsamelman
(“Announcing your plans is a good way to hear God laugh.” -- Al Swearengen)
To: Max Combined
Why would anyone label this as being "Breaking News"?
32
posted on
12/15/2004 3:33:29 PM PST
by
Southack
(Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
To: Southack
Big in "The Vegan Press".
All the news fit to stew about.
33
posted on
12/15/2004 3:36:16 PM PST
by
506trooper
(FWIW...sometimes, I sense a lack of common sense..just my two scents.)
To: Max Combined
If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times, feed the bears tofu.
34
posted on
12/15/2004 3:37:47 PM PST
by
Jaysun
(I'm pleased to report that Arafat's condition remains stable.)
To: Southack
Why would anyone label this as being Breaking News?
Because it just breaks our hearts. Poor Boo Boo.
To: CollegeRepublican
"How to get a new bear on the cheap: "
How silly. Don't you know you have to do an Environmental Impact Study first?...
/sarcasm off
36
posted on
12/15/2004 3:46:50 PM PST
by
The Spirit Of Allegiance
(FREE people needn't apply to a Government of/by/for the People for a gun (PERSONAL PROPERTY) permit!)
To: Southack
37
posted on
12/15/2004 8:29:14 PM PST
by
Max Combined
(Clinton is "the notorious Oval Office onanist")
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