Ofure Akhigbe
Arturo, a polar bear widely described as the “world’s saddest animal,” has died at nearly 31 years old in a zoo in Mendoza, Argentina.
The bear spent decades in captivity, enduring extreme temperatures of up to 40°C. Calls for his relocation to a Canadian zoo, where conditions would have been more suitable for his species, gained international attention. More than half a million people signed a petition urging authorities to transfer him, but the move never happened.
Arturo had lived alone since 2012 following the death of his long-time companion, Pelusa. His solitary existence and the harsh environment in which he was kept drew criticism from animal rights groups and members of the public around the world.
His death serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by animals in captivity, particularly when kept in environments far from their natural habitat.