A Tribute to Debby, The Oldest Polar Bear in the World
A Tribute to Debby, The Oldest Polar Bear in the World belongs to the following groups:
Bears of the worldDebby, our beloved polar bear, the pride and joy of Winnipeg’s Zoo is gone forever.
She came to Winnipeg in 1967 as a young cub and stayed here her whole life. She holds a Guiness Book record for the oldest polar bear in the world.
Debby was 42 when her major organs failed and she had to be put to sleep.
We all miss her terribly and a celebration of her long life is planned for this coming Saturday. I’m pretty sure most of us will go to say good bye.
Our Zoo will never be the same without Debby.
She will live in our hearts and I believe her spirit will always fly freely around Assiniboine Park.
Heather Rivet...
sad..I have been there a few time..:(
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you sweetie. I so enjoyed photographing her and now she’s gone.
MICKSPIXPHOTOS
It is sad, Teresa, but, at least she was preserved by your beautiful image. No one could have done a better job of recording her and thereby keeping a part of her around for ever.
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you Mike for your wonderful words. You made me feel better my dear friend. I just can’t imagine going to our zoo and not visiting her and I guess from now on I will have to get used to it.
Cheryl Dunning
true very true Teresa. I will miss her dearly.
Teresa Zieba replied
Me too. Thanks Cheryl.
Lucindawind
awww that is so sad .. she had a great long life ..RIP Debbie xx
Teresa Zieba replied
Yes, she did. Thank you Lucinda.
Vickie Emms
this is a lovely tribute to our beautiful Debby, hon. I am so glad you did this for her. We all loved and adored her and enjoyed the years of visits she gave us and many photos. I think she liked all the visitors that came to see her and take her picture. Well done and said. Hugs Vickie
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you sweetheart. I feel so sad and can’t imagine going to the zoo and not seeing her anymore. Hugs, Tenia
Geoffrey
A true passing of an era.
I will miss the Grand Old Dame of the Zoo.
I feel for the keepers, I know they loved her so.
Teresa Zieba replied
Caring for someone that long and losing the war at the end is not something one can forget soon. At least they know she is not in pain anymore and I’ve seen her suffering in the last months of her life. She lost so much weight and was unstable on her feet. I could hardly recognize our Debby and it was so hard to watch her fading.
Thanks Geoffrey.
Mark Cosgriff
a sad loss but better to think about all she gave to your community during her long life.
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you Mark. I try to think about her this way but it’s still hard.
Al Bourassa
Beautiful tribute Teresa.
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you Al. She will be missed.
Torfinn Johann...
Great tribute, and fractal work. Well done!
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind comment.
Leslie Battjes
Oh, Teresa…I’m so sorry :(
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you so much Leslie.
cara53
How sad to hear this, I am honored that I can say I saw her even if I live so far away. I know Debby was a true icon to Winnipeg, she will be missed. This is beautiful Teresa.
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you Cara. Yeah, I know you saw her but not at her best already. I remember her when she was healthy and strong and such a magnificent animal.
Nic Relton
Lovely work!!! I am really sorry I didn’t see this : (
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you Nic. It’s actually my fault as I should have put the writing in your group like I did now. I’m from Winnipeg and Debby was our beloved polar bear. I didn’t even think to add my tribute to any group and I should have especially to yours as it is all about bears.
Nic Relton
No worries Teresa : ) She deserves as much coverage as possible! I was feeling like a rubbish host there for a second! PHEW!!! : )))) I will go and accept it now! Take care, Nic.
Teresa Zieba replied
No need to feel bad Nic. Just the opposite actually as you thought of her and did something about it. Thank you so much for that.
Sharon Mau
Oh! Sweet baby, I am so sorry to hear she is gone!! This is a beautiful tribute for her Tenia, she was a magnificent ambassador for the beautiful Polar Bear!! I know they are endangered and sincerely hope with all my heart that something will be done to save their natural habitat!
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you sweetheart. We are all sad here in Winnipeg as she was a true icon for so many years and known so well by many generations. 42 years is a long time for a polar bear. Usually they live to about 25-30 in a wild and to about 32 in captivity. She’ll be missed by many.
sarah ward
This is so sad, and Im sad I never got to see this amazing bear x0×0
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you so much Sarah. You would love her just as we did.
Christopher E...
excellent tribute, i think you should send this to the zoo, i bet they would love it
Teresa Zieba replied
I did . Thank you very much.
bev langby
Beautiful creature and u have made her shine forever in your work well done , im so sad that these animals are threatened and do worry for them …....
hugz bev
Teresa Zieba replied
Thank you so much bev, I really appreciate your visit and comment. Debby was loved so much here in Winnipeg and she will be missed by many for a long time.