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Debate Surrounds Efficacy of Polar Bear Conservation in Zoos

As Karlsruhe Zoo unveils its newborn polar bear, questions arise about the role of captivity in species preservation and animal welfare.

  • Karlsruhe Zoo will allow visitors limited access to view a newborn polar bear starting Wednesday, emphasizing animal welfare and controlled exposure.
  • Supporters argue zoos play a critical role in conservation, serving as research hubs and maintaining reserve populations for endangered species like polar bears.
  • Critics claim polar bears in captivity suffer from stress and cannot exhibit natural behaviors, with high juvenile mortality rates cited as a concern.
  • Animal welfare advocates stress that habitat preservation and climate action, rather than captivity, are the most effective ways to save polar bears.
  • The zoo highlights its educational efforts, positioning the polar bear as a symbol for raising awareness about climate change and biodiversity loss.
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