Debby (polar bear) facts for kids
Debby in 2008
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| Species | Polar bear |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Born | c. 1966 Soviet Union |
| Died | 17 November 2008 (aged 41–42) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Known for | Oldest polar bear recorded |
| Residence | Assiniboine Park Zoo |
Debby was a famous female polar bear who lived a very long life. She was born around 1966 and passed away on November 17, 2008. Debby was known as the oldest polar bear ever recorded! She lived at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Canada. In 2008, she was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest polar bear and one of the three oldest bears of any kind.
Debby's Early Life
Debby was born in the Arctic part of the Soviet Union in 1966. Sadly, she became an orphan when she was very young. When she was about one year old, she traveled all the way to Winnipeg. This is where she found her new home at the Assiniboine Park Zoo.
Life at the Zoo
While living at the zoo, Debby had a mate named Skipper. Together, they had six cubs. This helped grow the polar bear family at the zoo. Debby was a beloved animal and an important part of the zoo's history.
Her Final Years
In November 2008, Debby began to experience serious health problems. Her body's systems were starting to fail due to her old age. Because of this, the zoo staff made the difficult decision to humanely end her suffering. She was 41 years old when she passed away, which is incredibly old for a polar bear. Most polar bears in the wild live about 15 to 18 years.
