Bear Cub Who Died In Pumpkin Patch Sparks Boycott Calls
By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Oct 28, 2015 10:36PM
Gobbert's Farm (Facebook)
After a bear cub died mysteriously during a fall festival in a pumpkin patch downstate, people are calling for a boycott of Goebbert's Farm in South Barrington.
The bear cub was one of more than 50 animals on display during a fall festival that kicked off mid-September and concludes on Halloween, according to the Chicago Tribune. There were farm animals on display as well as exotic animals from Timbavati Wildlife Park in Wisconsin. The cub died on Saturday, though it's not clear yet what caused the cub's death. The farm released a statement on their Facebook page:
We want to take a minute to address the situation that occurred at our farm in South Barrington on Saturday, October 24th - it is a rare and unusual circumstance, but we unfortunately did lose a bear this past weekend. The bear was immediately taken to the veterinarian where they performed an autopsy which came back inconclusive. We are currently waiting on the toxicology reports to find out definitive information and will continue working closely with the animal handlers, as well as the veterinarian to get an answer. We are deeply saddened by the situation. We do apologize for the delayed post - we are simply waiting on answers that are not ready yet.
What is clear is that the cub's death has people angry that the farm even had exotic animals on display to begin with. The farm's Facebook page was inundated with hundreds of comments like this one from Kathleen Quinn McColaugh:
We stopped coming to your "farm" when you brought in exotic animals. Being located in the Midwest, the weather is unpredictable and many of these animals should not be outside in these conditions. I really hope Goebbert's rethinks this "attraction". There are so many fun fall activities that can be done instead of bringing in these animals! I don't even feel that the farm animals are cared for during your holiday season. If you are deeply saddened...you will stop this tradition! Hoping to hear next year about the change and return coming to your beautiful property!
One of the farm's managers Holly Danielson assured the Tribune that the animals at the farm are well cared for: "There's knowledgeable and trained staff that live on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that are hired and trained by the company we hire to handle the animals." But she added that Goebbert's may reconsider the display for next year: "It's definitely something up for conversation."