Polar bear attacks woman at Berlin Zoo

[MacDawg]

At least it wasn't a tiger this time...

Polar bear attacks woman at Berlin Zoo

BERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- A polar bear attacked a woman at Berlin Zoo Friday afternoon after she climbed a fence and jumped into its habitat during feeding time, police said Saturday.

One adult polar bit her several times after she plunged into the moat, police said.

Zoo workers tossed rescue rings toward the woman to hoist her out and distract polar bears swimming nearby, said Goerg Gebhard, a Berlin police officer.

At one point the woman fell back into the water and was grabbed by a bear before she was eventually hoisted to safety.

"They saved her life," Gebhard told CNN.

The woman was severely injured and was being treated at a hospital, police said. Watch polar bear attack woman »

It's unclear why the woman entered the bear habitat, but police issued her a citation for trespassing.

Berlin Zoo is home to Knut, the first polar bear to be born there in over 30 years. The bear became a huge talking point in Germany when his mother gave birth to him in December 2006.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Eanair]

There are so many questions you can ask...

 

[ucfgrad93]

For the life of me, I can't figure out what would make someone do something like this.

 

[BoyBach]

For the life of me, I can't figure out what would make someone do something like this.

Suicide by Polar Bear?

 

[MacDawg]

Not exactly swimming with the dolphins, now is it?

Guess we will see the obligatory lawsuit for neglect against the zoo

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[PlaceofDis]

Not exactly swimming with the dolphins, now is it?

Guess we will see the obligatory lawsuit for neglect against the zoo

Woof, Woof - Dawg

the zoo shouldn't be sued at all. this is the woman's own fault, and its shown by her being issued a citation. what was she thinking, who knows.

 

[dukebound85]

i hope they dont put asleep the polar bear for attacking a dumb lady

 

[bartelby]

what was she thinking, who knows.

I think a mental illness is highly likely.

 

[MacDawg]

the zoo shouldn't be sued at all. this is the woman's own fault, and its shown by her being issued a citation. what was she thinking, who knows.

Sorry, it was said with tongue in cheek...

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[djellison]

I've been there (Autumn 2007) - and I can't imagine how you would accidentally get in there - it's not a low little fence you could fall over. It's a big, deep wall.

She wanted to get in there, she is entirely to blame. The zoo shouldn't be asked or forced to change a damn thing. Indeed - given all the signage that is abundantly posted all around the area, she should be paying them for loss of earnings that might well result from this brief act of monumental stupidity.

 

[Mr. Giver '94]

They're tired of global warming.

 

[rhett7660]

What a freaking idiot..... if this part of the event is true: after she climbed a fence and jumped into its habitat during feeding time

 

[bartelby]

What a freaking idiot.....

or she's mentally ill... Which is more likely.

 

[Gray-Wolf]

MAybe, she just wanted to share lunch with them, it was feeding time.

 

[Abstract]

what was she thinking, who knows.

Probably this: "Duhhhhh. Duhhhhhhh. Ughhhh...duhhhhh. Uuhhhhh. Duh....."

I'm paraphrasing, of course. After all, I don't speak German.

 

[sushi]

For the life of me, I can't figure out what would make someone do something like this.

Likewise. Why would you put yourself in a situation such as this?

Suicide by Polar Bear?

Okay, this could be a possibility. However, this would be a very painful way to go. My experience helping folks who are contemplating suicide, or have attempted (real attempts) and failed, have been that they want to do it quick and painless. I can't imagine going by way of "Polar Bear" would be considered quick or painless.

I think a mental illness is highly likely.

You may be on to something. That would make sense.

if this part of the event is true: after she climbed a fence and jumped into its habitat during feeding time

I could see where she may think that it would be quick since the polar bears would be hungry.