Everland grilled over polar bear abuse

An animal rights activist in a polar bear costume jumps into the Han River at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul, Friday, in protest of Everland's alleged mistreatment of a polar bear./Yonhap

By You Soo-sun

A polar bear at a Korean zoo was found to be suffering, according to animal rights activists, Friday.

Activists of the animal welfare group, Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE), urged the zoo to provide adequate care for the polar bear, also known as Tonki, and to cease future exhibition of polar bears, during a press conference in Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. In protest, one activist jumped into the Han River wearing a polar bear jumpsuit.

Tonki is a 22-year-old male polar bear, which has lived in captivity in Everland for 20 years, the country's largest theme park, located in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. According to CARE, Tonki has been living in gruesome conditions, without an adequate water supply and air-conditioning he needs to stay cool.

"At first sight, I questioned if he was even alive," said a CARE activist who visited the zoo earlier this month.

This is not the first time Everland has been criticized for its mistreatment of polar bears. It was revealed two years ago that Tonki was held inside a small pit, where he also displayed signs of a mental disorder presented by actions like head bobbing and pacing. More than 5,000 people have signed a petition to help Tonki. Everland promised to improve the welfare for Tonki.

The animal rights advocates denounced Everland for failing to follow through on its promise. It also directed criticism to Samsung, its operator and a leading conglomerate of the country. "We demand Samsung cease showcasing new polar bears by importing them here. We also seek better living conditions for Tonki," the CARE representative called out. "If his health further deteriorates, they should make ways for conditions that would allow him to die in peace."

On July 11, they made their first visit to the zoo, disguised as foreign tourists. Video footage made secretly shows Tonki foraging for water. It was 30 degrees Celsius outside. The thermometer inside the drained pool was broken, pointing at 11 degrees.

On their second visit three days later, they found water that came up to his ankles. It was 34 degrees that day. The water tank was full by their third visit, July 16. "We believe they took the necessary actions due to the complaints," the CARE representative said. "But Tonki is too old, and has been neglected for too long."

Everland refuted the claims, saying "They must have taken the video when we drained the water to clean the tank, which we do twice a week. We also maintain the room temperature at 18 degrees, and are doing our best to help him."

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