A polar bear named the ‘world’s saddest polar bear’ is being kept in a shopping mall in China and is showing signs of “mental decline” according to an animal rights group.
The polar bear, which goes by the name of Pizza, is living at China’s Grandview Mall in Guangzhou.
Footage released by the Humane Society International (HSI) shows the polar bear wondering around his glass enlosure and sniffing the air vent for air.
Animal activists are claiming that Pizza “suffers for selifes”.
Professor Alastair Macmillan, a veterinary adviser for HSI, said Pizza was showing signs of “mental decline” in the clip.
“This polar bear is showing classic stereotypical behaviour, including head swaying and repetitive pacing, induced by frustration and poor welfare,” he added, “the conditions in which he is being kept are completely unsuitable, vastly removed from anything approaching his natural habitat, and if something is not done then he will likely slip further and further into mental decline.”
Pizza was offered a new home at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s habitat for polar bears last month, however, Grandview’s general manager insisted that there is “no need for foreign organisations to get involved”.
He added, “we are a legally compliant aquarium, run according to Chinese standards and protecting animal rights. In the future we will strengthen the protection of animal rights and welfare.”
Mdm Qn from Capital Animal Welfare Association expressed urgency for Pizza to be rehomed,”the appallingly inadequate way that this polar bear is being kept at the Grandview is a shameful stain on China that must be swiftly corrected. A shopping centre is no place to be keeping any wild animal.”
“Pizza can never be released to the wild, but at the very least mall operators should let him live out the rest of his days in a facility where he can breathe fresh air and see the sunlight. If it has been decided that he will not leave China, then let’s find him the best new home inside China, but we cannot stand idly by and let this once magnificent bear languish in this depressing state.”
