Talented Animals

Jimmy the painting chimp draws hordes to Rio zoo

A retired circus chimpanzee is the Cezanne of simians, drawing crowds to a Brazilian zoo to watch him paint.

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Photo Bear

What does a retired circus bear do for a living? Here’s the sweets-lovin’, beer-guzzlin’ Photo Bear hammin’ it up with his peeps:

13-year-old Tian Tian used to be a performer in the zoo doing acts like the parallel bars, bike riding and so on.
However, it loves sweets so much that it quickly grew into a 150kg obese bear. “No bike can take its weight, as once it sits on a bike, the bike will break,” said the feeder, Wang Qunfa.
The zoo had to give Tian Tian early retirement from the show, and they sent it back to the bear pen.
But Tian Tian has got used to interaction with humans, and can’t adapt to life with other bears. “I have to take her and wander around during the day time outside the bear pen,” said Wang.
Tourist requests to take pictures with Tian Tian inspired the zoo. “Why not make her a full-time picture bear?” said feeder Wang.

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