By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Zoo President Donna Fernandez Monday called reports of neglect surrounding the death of four polar bears at the zoo "an ambush."
It was the first time Fernandez responded formally to the news that broke last week. A Department of Agriculture report cited neglect in the death of four of the Zoo's five polar bears. The bears, ranging from six to twenty-nine years old, all died within a sixteen month period.
The preliminary investigation alledged that one bear was left unattended following surgery and that others ingested garbage. But Fernandez said independent pathology reports confirmed the bears died of natural causes.
Fernandez said the bears died from heart failure, kidney disease and cancer. She says facts asserted by the first U.S.D.A. inspector were inaccurate and misleading. Different inspectors conducted a follow-up investigation last month. Fernandez expects their report will dispel the initial findings.
A full report from the U.S.D.A. is expected early next year. The zoo could be fined if held responsible for the Bears' deaths, or the recent accidental death of a hyena, which was injured when a boulder fell on it.
Zoo Board Chairman Jim Smyton said they have full confidence the final report will show care at the zoo is superior.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums granted the Zoo reaccreditation in September. And a $27 million plan is currently underway to improve facilities and exhibits.
But the animal rights group PETA issued a condemnation of conditions at the Buffalo zoo and is calling for the accreditation to be pulled. Fernandez called it part of the radical group's extremist agenda.
She said the zoo has been asked to take in two polar bears from other facilities sometime late next year.
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