It's Not Easy Bein' Green

[Sam Fisher]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080907/ap_on_fe_st/odd_japan_green_bears

Algae-dyed polar bears puzzle Japan zoo visitors

TOKYO - Green polar bears are drawing questions from puzzled visitors at a Japanese zoo.

Three normally white polar bears at Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in central Japan changed their color in July after swimming in a pond with an overgrowth of algae.
The sight of green polar bears has prompted many questions from visitors concerned about whether the animals are sick or carrying mold, zoo official Masami Kurobe said Sunday.
"Visitors seem to be shocked by the color, and we are asked every day why they are so green," he said.
High temperatures in July and August and less-frequent water changes because of the zoo's conservation efforts caused an algae growth in the bear pond and safety moat, Kurobe said.
Algae that enters hollow spaces in the bears' fur is hard to rinse off, he said.
The bears are expected to return to their natural color when the algae growth subsides in November, Kurobe said.

 

[Carcharodon]

I've heard of this happening before. It's kinda funny, actually.

 

[Nirvana]

Damn you! I was about to make a thread on this.

 

[Yerzrinot]

It's a shame they weren't completely dyed. That would have been cool.

 

[UA-Archangel]

They're teen bears rebelling against the establishment (their parents).

 

[Elle Quence]

they have turned emo?

 

[Majic Walrus]

I saw those pictures. I was hoping it was toxic waste... Just algae, oh well.