Bye Bye, Tongki: South Korea’s Last Polar Bear Bids Farewell
A Heart‑warming Farewell Party
In June, Everland spiced up the zoo’s biodome with a surprise farewell for Tongki – the 23‑year‑old, gray‑spotted barbie of Seoul.
The party included a rainbow‑colored playlist and a cake shaped like a fur‑covered snout—talk about a proper taxidermy‑celebration!
The Sudden Stakes
But on the night of Wednesday, Tongki slipped quietly into the next level, and the staff stormed the concrete cage to find him no‑where, and dead.
Eighty‑year‑old in human terms, he was oldest‑of‑all‑gestures or, technically, a senior citizen in the cold‑world of polar life.
What the Zoos Are Saying
Even though a move to Yorkshire Wildlife Park was in the cards – that 40‑thousand‑square‑meter Arctic oasis could bring a final surefire chill – the British haven was still one hop away when he passed.
Everland is now earmarking the week as the mourning period, fittingly decking the polar bear’s habitat with solemn flags, and letting visitors lower their eyes for one last tribute.
The Broader Picture
Born on South Korean soil – a Masan zoo birth certificate – Tongki joined the sad pantheon of the country’s last bearer.
The northward exodus of Bears was because of an overseas partnership that didn’t make it through the final hurdle; the local wildlife community has turned down the “bring our own polar bears” proposal, citing their “Vulnerable” status on the IUCN Red List.
In Mission Statement
Everland will not bring back a polar bear replacement; their conservation philosophy prefers your local wildlife to remain truly native.
A note: the zoo promises to run a series of tests to pinpoint the precise cause of death; we’ll keep you posted.
Zoologist’s words: “We’ve turned the area into a tribute space so everyone can come say their goodbyes.”Let us keep Tongki’s memory alive – perhaps a new zoo article in the hopes for polar bears worldwide.
