© ROBIN FICKERThis pane of glass at the Minnesota Zoo was shattered Monday but remained in place after a bear slammed a rock against it several times.
The five-layer pane stayed in place "like a windshield," and no creatures on either side of the multiple panes were harmed, said zoo animal collections manager Tony Fisher.
The rambunctious bear and two other grizzlies in the open-air exhibit were called back inside, and the area remains closed to the public until a temporary fix can be made. Later, a permanent pane will be custom-made and installed at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars, Fisher said.
Robin Ficker, a visitor from Maryland, said he was watching "the bears wrestling with each other and looking at the people" shortly after the zoo opened at 9 a.m. Then one of the animals "picked up from the bottom of the pool a rock that had to weigh 50 pounds. And while many people were standing there, he slammed it against the glass several times," Ficker said.
Fisher said he's not sure which of the three bears is responsible for breaking one of pane's five layers, but he suspects it was Kenai, a nearly full-grown male. Grizzlies typically top out at 800 to 900 pounds.
Kenai is "usually the clown out there, fooling around in the water," Fisher said. "He didn't know what he was doing. He was just being a bear."
Rocks and other items in the exhibit that bears are strong enough to lift are supposed to be secured in place, Fisher said. In the wake of this incident, he said, "we'll have to go back through the exhibit and anchor down anything they can lift."
Walt Disney (Disney Studios) should come up with an animated film about when the animals at the zoo all broke free and escaped the clutches of the evil zoo keepers. The 'human' public is aghast and suddenly gripped by an immense fear. Some UN and WHO representatives are called in. The leader of the animals (an old grizzly mama) then negotiates with these 'representatives' for better food and living conditions, the zoo keepers are scolded and taught a 'lesson' and the animals return (satisfied) to the security of the zoo. The public (and the animals, too) all relax and rejoice and celebrate another victory for progress and peace.
That should do well at the box office and put another nice touch on the prevailing story of modern life and its benefits. Benefits which include ongoing negotiations between workers and leaders/owners (management) for constantly improving wages and living conditions. Always striving!
We have to understand that animals are just like people and people are just like animals and that we (animals and people) all have to get along (ie., work, play and protest safely, while following ALL rules), whilst our global leaders and teachers and organizers pave the way, constantly strengthening our peace and security; and improving worker living conditions, so that we all benefit and prosper accordingly. Isn't that the way life should be?
(sarcasm)