Sexpert needed
December 2nd 2008 04:38
Much of the news in northern Japan recently has been concerned with the poor record of local officials in the area of polar bear sexing.
The municipal zoo in Kushiro, Hokkaido prefecture, brought in a polar bear cub three years ago. He was named Tsuyoshi, after popular baseball outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo.
Zoo staff then waited patiently until Tsuyoshi reached reproductive age. The big day came about three months ago, and he was introduced to long-time zoo resident, an 11-year-old female named Kurumi.
But no little polar bears eventuated. Tsuyoshi, it was noted, was not even doing the amorous advance thing.
In early November, zookeepers put young Tsuyoshi under anaesthesia to get to the bottom of the matter. What they discovered is that he is a she.
In their defence, zoo officials say it is no simple matter to identify a polar bear's sex. "Their long hair makes it difficult to distinguish," said zookeeper Masako Inoue.
The zoo is now combing the area for another male.
www.reuters.co.uk, www.cnn.com, www.theregister.co.uk
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