Viral TikTok video sparks concerns over polar bear’s health. Now MN zoo explains
_fitted.png "A Minnesota zoo responded to claims that one of its animals, Neil the polar bear, is ill and not being cared for properly.")
A Minnesota zoo shared a post on social media giving an update on one of its polar bears after a viral video sparked concerns over the bear’s health.
“Neil holds a special place in our hearts, and he is the oldest living male polar bear under human care in North America,” Como Park Zoo and Conservatory said in a Facebook post.
The post comes after a TikTok video claiming the bear was sick went viral gaining over 1 million views. The video in the link contains language some viewers may find offensive.
“He’s visibly ill,” the TikTok video’s caption said.
In the video, a woman can be heard saying the bear looked sick, tired and seemed to be foaming at the mouth.
“Instead of being on display, he should be somewhere getting taken care of,” the woman said in the video.
However, the zoo’s post said Neil the bear is not sick, he’s just 29 years old.
“As he enters his golden years, Neil is showing natural signs of aging, but he is not sick, as the person making the video falsely proclaims,” the post said. “Like many aging animals (and people), he is experiencing normal physical changes.”
The zoo said the reason Neil was drooling is because he lost two of his lower canine teeth, so his lips hang looser. However, he still has “plenty of teeth and eats without difficulty.”
“His slimmer frame is also normal for a polar bear of his age and reflects both age-related changes and typical seasonal fluctuations. Neil continues to receive everything he needs to stay as comfortable and healthy as possible in this stage of life,” the post said.
“We take this (expletive) for entertainment, but really these animals are in a prison,” the woman said in the TikTok video.
The zoo said Neil’s well-being is its top priority and he is closely monitored by a team of experts.
“He also has access to both indoor and outdoor habitats at all times. His indoor space is climate-controlled with air conditioning, and his pools are chilled to 55 degrees, allowing him to cool down whenever he chooses. It’s worth noting that polar bears are highly adaptable animals,” the zoo said.
