Ursus maritimus: The Water Bear

The polar bears were living a miserable existence in the zoos of America in one-millionth of the space of their Arctic counterparts. The plan was well-intended and well-financed to initially buy 40 polar bears from the zoos in the United States and place them in an environment where they could be free to live a comfortable life. The Polar Bear Rescue (PBR) Foundation was formed to accomplish the rescue and placement on Anvil Mountain near Silverton, Colorado. They would have plenty of game hunting the already overpopulated bighorn sheep and antelope. Tundra buggy tours from Silverton became a huge success for tourists to see the well-fed polar bears thriving in the wild. They were content, so it seemed, living on Anvil Mountain and brought large donations to the PBR Foundation. The bears were even repopulating the endangered polar bear population, allowing visitors to see the mothers with their cubs. For three years, the Polar Bear Safari became one of the top attractions for visitors to Colorado. This grand plan, with notable intent, was headed for disaster.