Gothamist: Purple Polar Bear

Dr.Zaius

Fri, 23 Apr 2004 18:27:12 -0500

Morons. You talk like morons. Why do you even post most of this shit? And for the record, technicolor is spelled with an I!

Sarah

Sun, 29 Feb 2004 10:00:27 -0500

I think they should not put this beautiful bear in such a small enclousure.Just because the medicen may come off,dosn't mean you should keep her from swimming.

selden

Tue, 23 Dec 2003 00:45:16 -0500

Why do polar bears have so much vit a in their livers? Does it serve some purpose or is it just a by product of eating seal?

Heather

Mon, 28 Jul 2003 01:07:47 -0500

LOL...she is just too cute!

Zach

Sun, 27 Jul 2003 09:57:57 -0500

Unbelievable!

Jen

Thu, 24 Jul 2003 16:54:45 -0500

Amazing work, Justin, amazing. I'm glad that a strange story from my youth could help bookend this discussion.

Justin Case, Gothamist Science Correspondent

Thu, 24 Jul 2003 10:37:32 -0500

The yellowing of skin related to excessive consumption of carrots (or other carotene rich foods) is known as carotenemia. It's not considered a health risk, but if you have it, your doctor will probably recommend that you decrease your carrot intake. Ask The Dietitian points out that carotenes, which come from vegetable sources, are not considered toxic whereas the form of Vitamin A we get from animal sources (retinol) can be in large doses. The site points out that "One ounce of polar bear liver contains enough Vitamin A (retinol) to kill a person!" thus bringing our story full circle.

erikka

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 20:01:56 -0500

This is all very fascinating. Look ma, I'm learning!

Justin Case, Gothamist Spelling Correspondent

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 18:53:47 -0500

Dammit, that's twice now.

Justin Case, Gothamist Science Correspondant

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 18:51:52 -0500

Gentian Violet is a real medication used mainly to treat fungal infections of the skin and mucus membranes. It's a bit "old school" - I remember it as being one of those old, crusty bottles in the back of my parents' medicine cabinet, between the Witch Hazel and the Tincture of Iodine - but it's cheap and pretty non-toxic, so it's perfect for treating an animal.

Jen

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 18:08:19 -0500

When I was little, I loved carrots. That's all I ate. The doctor told my mom I would turn yellow and my mom replied, "So? She IS already yellow."

brian

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 16:30:00 -0500

Polar bear fur isn't actually white. It's transparent with a hollow core. Polar bears in the san diego zoo once turned green because of algae growing in the core of their hair. Funny the things that stay with you after being a sea world tour guide...

erikka

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 15:42:58 -0500

Am I the only conspiracy theorist here that thinks it ain't so?

Hilton

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 12:36:01 -0500

It reminded me of the Wizard of Oz, when the horses were all technocolor punk. They created that effect by dying the horses with jello mix, and the horses would lick the mix/dye after the shoot.

DodgeThis

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 12:32:49 -0500

I like it!

Sam T

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 12:25:13 -0500

That poor bear! Right now it is saying, "I do not want to be purple, though!"

Joey

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 12:21:09 -0500

Video of Pelusa in action (3rd story): http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/07/17/national/main563855.shtml

karru

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 10:43:02 -0500

The only thing that can be said is WOW!

callalillie

Wed, 23 Jul 2003 10:42:48 -0500

My goodness. Looks like my hair color in 1991.