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Deer Jumps Into Pittsburgh Zoo's Polar Bear Exhibit

Deer Injured, Euthanized; Bears Not Harmed

Posted: 5:46 pm EST November 9, 2007Updated: 6:22 pm EST November 9, 2007

Polar bears at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium got an unexpected visitor when a deer jumped about 20 feet into their pool.

"One of the grounds keepers asked if we had seen the deer swim with the polar bears,” said Game Caldenron, a zoo visitor.

Surveillance video from the zoo shows the deer jumping into the pool. The animal nearly landed on a floating white block. One bear immediately dove in to check out his new pool partner.

Officials said the deer jumped an 8-foot fence to enter the zoo and had been wandering around for a while. After jumping into the pool, the deer made a couple of laps around the pool before climbing out with both bears following close behind.

Eventually zookeepers were able to corral the bears and deer inside.

Although the bears did not hurt the deer, it did receive some injuries and was in shock, so it had to be euthanized. The bears were not hurt and were allowed back into their habitat shortly after the incident was over.

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