Buenos Aires, Dec 28 (IANS/EFE) The Buenos Aires zoo’s only polar bear died earlier this week due to the high temperatures that have been affecting the Argentine capital, an official said.
“Winner died from excessive heat. The high temperatures were the determining (factor),” the zoological park’s animal welfare director, Miguel Rivolta, said.
Buenos Aires registered a high of 36.7 degrees Celsius Monday, the weather service said.
Zoo officials have not ruled out the possibility that the Christmas eve fireworks in the capital may have caused “a spell of nervousness” for the bear, Rivolta said.
The 16-year-old Winner, who was healthy, was known for being extremely nervous and the high temperatures combined with the noise from the fireworks may have affected his normal body temperature and killed him, Rivolta said.
–IANS/EFE
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