The Bald Bear

By Alex in Animals & Pets on Nov 4, 2009 at 1:45 am

Vets are baffled at this strange sight: Dolores, a spectacled bear at the Leipzig Zoo in Germany has gone bald!

It could be due to a genetic defect but the animals don’t seem to be suffering any other afflictions.

The normally fluffy dark brown bears should be now growing a thick fur coat to keep them warm during the winter.

One thing the lack of hair shows up in their huge, lethal claws.

But instead the bears, which once originated from South America, have begun developing nasty rashes and inflammations on their skin where their glossy coats should be.

Link (Photo: EPA)

Tags: bald, bear, fur, Leipzig zoo, spectacled bear

Neat stuff from the NeatoShop:

Geekazoid
Nov 4th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Mange:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mange
seefish3
Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:53 am
Yes, baffling. Lifelong captivity shouldn’t cause any nervous disorders!
maxxx
Nov 4th, 2009 at 5:16 am
“which once originated from South America”

If they once originated there, where do they originate from now?
Al Gore
Nov 4th, 2009 at 5:32 am
The answer is simple: Global Warming.

The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems.
Skipweasel
Nov 4th, 2009 at 7:06 am
It looks like something Dr Seuss would have drawn.
ted
Nov 4th, 2009 at 7:20 am
I’d say it probably has something to do with the care they’ve been receiving. Zoos bother me sometimes.
Retrokatze
Nov 4th, 2009 at 7:42 am
@ted: If it was any other zoo, I’d probably agree. But I live in Leipzig and the zoo is pretty awesome.
There’s even a show about it; you can watch the livestream every friday, 06:50 pm (UTC) here: http://avw.mdr.de/livestreams/mdr_fernsehen.asx
pwscott
Nov 4th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Ok that is the creepiest thing I have ever seen.
PaulS
Nov 4th, 2009 at 7:57 am
The way the fur has remained around the head reminds me of the Mystics out of “The Dark Crystal”
zavatone
Nov 4th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Adult bear pattern baldness.
christina
Nov 4th, 2009 at 9:34 am
This is a great example of why animals should not be held in captivity.
This bear is probably suffering from stress.
Just like those poor parrots from the amazon that cant stand being in a cage and lose their feathers…
Zoos are no good..
Jamee
Nov 4th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Clearly looks like a severe case of mange. Have they not looked into it?
Dude
Nov 4th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Basically, chemicals are thrown everywhere by humans and this would be the result.
MrJawbones
Nov 4th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I’m just surprised nobody has started singing “Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear” yet.
LisaL
Nov 4th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Awwww, it’s still cute. Poor thing. I hope they can find out what’s causing the hairloss though. Maybe a severe thyroid problem.
Tim Giachetti
Nov 4th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
PETA You’ve gone to far!!!

Damn you! give him his fur coat back you bastards!!!!
Geekazoid
Nov 4th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Mange was also mistaken for bigfoot

http://www.newser.com/story/11269/bigfoot-sighting-revealed-to-be-big- mistake.html
nifrek
Nov 4th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
IMO they’re just imitating humans. Hair on the head, chest and a bit on the back, etc.
Amanda B
Nov 4th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Poor Bear=(
Mr C
Nov 4th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Is this Sashquach?
Robert
Nov 5th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Wow, that’s totally not what I expected. It kind of looks like a giant…rat…monster…yup, a Giant Rat Monster.

Keep track of the comments with

Comment RSS

Lijit Search

The latest from NeatoBambino: