The "Saddest Animal In the World" Has Died
Argentina's only polar bear, Arturo, died at the Mendoza Zoo on Sunday at the age of 30. He had come to international attention a few years earlier, when a petition called for him to be transferred to a colder climate in Canada. The petition was denied by zoo officials who claimed he was "too old" to be moved.
Arturo became internet famous for his somber appearance. After his partner, Pelusa, died from cancer in 2012, he became increasingly morose and seemed to be suffering from depression. For this, he was nicknamed "the saddest animal in the world."
Zoo officials reported that his health had started to fail in the months prior to his passing due to a blood circulation imbalance. Polar bears rarely live past the age of 25, so he was already weak and blind in his right eye, and had lost a lot of weight. Zoo officials monitoring him considered putting him down, but instead let nature take its course.
We hope you're in a better, more spacious, and more environmentally-friendly place now, buddy.
