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Bettie

(19,612 posts)
15. Chief was a polar bear at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI
Wed Dec 3, 2025, 06:35 PM
Dec 2025

Late 80's a mentally ill man jumped a 15 foot moat and climbed a wall to get into the enclosure.

He was killed by a cop....the bear, not the dude.

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Good LetMyPeopleVote Dec 2025 #1
I'm fine with this MustLoveBeagles Dec 2025 #2
Agreed, that Lioness was doing what she's supposed to do, MarineCombatEngineer Dec 2025 #3
Good. I am still pissed off about Harambe. marble falls Dec 2025 #4
Chief was a polar bear at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI Bettie Dec 2025 #15
... pazzyanne Dec 2025 #34
Good. Behind the Aegis Dec 2025 #5
I agree, his death is tragic, but not the lioness' fault. Coventina Dec 2025 #7
Agree on both counts! Behind the Aegis Dec 2025 #8
I didn't realize that MustLoveBeagles Dec 2025 #9
As some author termed it in some novel years ago, "evolution in progress." n/t the nelm Dec 2025 #17
Also deaths at auto-safaris do occur. GreenWave Dec 2025 #6
Good! SheltieLover Dec 2025 #10
This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Dec 2025 #11
There is no proof that humans taste any better than any other prey animal. Coventina Dec 2025 #21
Concern by whom? Torchlight Dec 2025 #30
Good, finally some common sense about this. Warpy Dec 2025 #12
Leoness the lioness is saved Clouds Passing Dec 2025 #13
With his history of mental illness, he needed to be supervised like one would do a small child. n/t iluvtennis Dec 2025 #14
yes Skittles Dec 2025 #16
Yes, so tragic. n/t iluvtennis Dec 2025 #20
Skittles! jfz9580m Dec 17 #49
Great news! StarryNite Dec 2025 #18
The lion was loving that 'long pork' pfitz59 Dec 2025 #19
Hope they cut back the branches on the tree. Figarosmom Dec 2025 #22
Lions cannot distinguish between prey and idiots. Sneederbunk Dec 2025 #23
He was a bloody idiot canetoad Dec 2025 #24
Glad to hear it. (nt) Paladin Dec 2025 #25
Good! yardwork Dec 2025 #26
Good. Animals shouldn't have to pay with their lives for acts of human stupidity. Crunchy Frog Dec 2025 #27
A very similar incident years ago catchnrelease Dec 2025 #28
So glad for Leona the Lioness, but sad for the young schizophrenic man. niyad Dec 2025 #29
The end results seems to suggest that he would not have been very good at it. Aristus Dec 2025 #40
In his case, it appears to have been mental illness. niyad Dec 2025 #48
WONDERFUL🦁why should the lion suffer Raine Dec 2025 #31
Glad the lioness was not killed. But for goodness sake the guy was suffering from mental illness; NOT "an idiot"! Its.. electric_blue68 Dec 2025 #32
Proves that good ol' Charlie Darwin was right! Enter stage left Dec 2025 #33
Great news. Celerity Dec 2025 #35
Your thoughts, GrumpyCat? OldBaldy1701E Dec 2025 #36
Darwin was wrong LPBBEAR Dec 2025 #37
It's about time we stop punishing animals for the idiotic things that we do. Borogove Dec 2025 #38
HIstory of mental illness. Ruh roh. twodogsbarking Dec 2025 #39
Pardon my ignorance, but what does "ruh roh" mean in this context? Martin68 Dec 2025 #42
We could all be there. I am hoping not. I feel for him. Sad, isn't it? twodogsbarking Dec 2025 #44
Excellent news. The animal may be more dangerous as a result of the experience, but that isn't the lion's fault. Martin68 Dec 2025 #41
Your brain isn't always your friend. It is sad. twodogsbarking Dec 2025 #45
Animals should not suffer... BH liberal Dec 2025 #43
This message was self-deleted by its author cstanleytech Dec 2025 #46
You, it wasn't the lions fault for doing what lions do. cstanleytech Dec 2025 #47
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