WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Aug. 12 A polar bear named Debby is, at 40, officially the oldest polar bear in the world.
The bear, which lives at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Canada, has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Sunday.
In the wild, most polar bears only live to about 20.
Debby was born in Russia in December 1966, zoo officials believe. She was brought to Winnipeg the next year and lived much of her life with her former mate, Skipper, who died six years ago.
Such closeness is unusual among the solitary animals, officials said.
In honor of the record, the zoo plans a party later this month. Debby will be able to munch on favorite treats like veggie dogs and a fish frozen in a block of ice, the CBC said.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
