polar bear july polar bear lived alaska zoo anchorage found orphan alaska taken zoo quickly popular attractions local hero received international news coverage zoo visitors separate incidents died parasitic disease early life found orphaned alaska rescued given later alaska zoo anchorage quickly zoo popular attractions keeper commented performer cried evenings laughing visitors left day initially placed foot foot oval cage quickly prospect raising estimated needed new larger enclosure uncertain zoo officials feared sent fundraiser open house held raise money effort number schools businesses participated ultimately greatest contribution zoo effort city purchase zoo land zoo agreed buy annual installments new enclosure opened year appearance dog spot car commercials approached sexual maturity zoo officials negotiated purchase female polar bear named oklahoma transfer finalized died viral disease february young polar bear twins female male joined enclosure got poorly given zoo mexico grown bear weighed pounds aggressive bear bit zoo employee finger keeper commented independent likes play games feeling walks halfway den sits knows close smart bear celebrity death july year old australian tourist jumped safety rails close photograph cage stuck head bars grabbed suffered broken leg bite wounds tourist caught event tape kept woman shoe days retrieved zoo officials day attack photographer took photo holding shoe mouth printed press account incident gave shoe bar nearby burned weeks later involved drunken local teenagers approached bear enclosure apparently hoping swim pool year old hospitalized leg zoo confirm attacker bear blood face following incident attacks received international news coverage merchandise created including shirts adorned shoe photo slogan send tourist got away local letters editor supported incidents arguing polar bears respected zoo director criticized actions saying violated rules bear life initially insisted attack change zoo run security cage upgraded zoo visitors suddenly sick parasitic disease dying associated liver failure july week symptoms began shortly showed signs disease morning july went died zoo visitors left flowers outside bears enclosure zoo memorial service saw high turnout despite pouring rain bears buried zoo grounds
Binky (polar bear)