Famous Surgeon to Operate on Erie Polar Bear
Alcor, the injured Erie Zoo`s polar bear, will be operated on next week by Chief Surgeon Dean Richardson of University of Pennsylvania`s New Bolton Center near Philadelphia. The polar bear is suffering from a shattered front right leg, which he injured while playing with his brother. Erie Zoo spokesman Scott Mitchell calls news of the upcoming surgery "a ray of hope." A Cleveland vet said Thursday surgery on the 800 pound polar bear would not be successful. Friday, another team of vets gave Mitchell a second opinion that favored surgery. Zoo workers will load Alcor into a specially-constructed steel crate for the trip, either on Sunday or Monday. Last month, Dr. Richardson successfully operated on Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro and saved the horse from his leg injury.
