Why Are These Bears Losing Their Fur?

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The Leipzig Zoo in Germany is facing a very bizarre problem - Their female bears, Dolores and Lolita are losing all their fur and nobody knows why it is happening.

The two bears that are native to South America, normally have fluffy dark brown hair, which grows even thicker, during the winter months, but instead these two have been left with just tufts of hair all over their body.

While the condition is not life threatening, the poor bears are developing nasty rashes and inflammation on their skin due to the lack of fur. The zoo officials have no idea what to do and are appealing to animal experts all over the world, for help.

The only bright side is, that the Zoo is attracting a lot more visitors, all flocking to see this unusual phenomenon.

Also known as Andean Bear, the Spectacled Bear is one of the smaller species of the animals, that are native to South America. They get their name from the distinctive lighter coloring around their eyes which often resemble 'spectacles'. The primarily vegetarian animals are pretty docile, attacking only if they perceive a threat to their young ones. They are very proficient climbers and are often found nestling on trees in the Andes Mountains .

sources:telegraph.co.uk,bbcnew.co.uk, latimesblog.com

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173 Comments
  • jazhollandlops
    jazhollandlopsover 2 years
    I think it is because of the stress of being in captivity!
    • gold3nglare
      gold3nglarealmost 4 years
      Poor bear. :( Also HOLY MOLY!!!!!!!!!!!!
      • mimiover 5 years
        omg! those poor bears! so sad.
        • Bob the guyover 6 years
          For a second I didn't even think those were bears!
          • Anonymousabout 9 years
            I hope they find out what is happening?!😓
            • savageabout 9 years
              maybe it is the water that they give the bears or disease in the air
              • money bags $$$over 9 years
                i hope they did not just shave off the fur for exaggeration.
                • gogoover 9 years
                  go to the zoo and see the prop bear's soooooooooooo sad we can hlap!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                  • gogoover 9 years
                    so sad for that bear's
                    • silentwolfalmost 10 years
                      i love bear even when there bold