The Bark incident, was a serious case of animal cruelty that took place in 1993 involving the fatal stabbing of a female polar bear named Bark by a 22-year-old man named David McNab at the Toronto Zoo.
The incident occurred on Sunday, August 8th, 1993, when McNab, who was accompanied by his girlfriend, climbed over a barrier at the zoo's polar bear exhibit and jumped into the enclosure. McNab then stabbed the polar bear multiple times with a knife.
Upon entering the enclosure, the polar bear was alerted by McNab's presence and attempted to retreat into the water, but McNab caught up to her and began attacking her. Despite the polar bear's attempts to defend herself by using her paws and teeth, she was ultimately overwhelmed by McNab's aggression.
Witnesses reported seeing McNab stabbing the polar bear frantically while his girlfriend looked on in horror. Several zookeepers and visitors desperately attempted to intervene but were unable to reach the polar bear due to the high barriers surrounding the enclosure.
The incident lasted for approximately five minutes before McNab climbed back out of the enclosure, leaving the polar bear bleeding and seriously injured. The polar bear was immediately rushed to the zoo's animal hospital, where she was initially treated for her wounds, but unfortunately, due to the severity of her injuries, she died shortly after.
McNab was arrested at the scene and charged with animal cruelty and break-and-enter. He appeared in court the following Monday, where he was released on bail, facing possible jail time.
The incident sparked outrage and calls for increased security measures at the zoo. Many were shocked and saddened by the senseless killing of a beloved animal. The zoo eventually implemented new protocols and improved barriers to ensure the safety of both visitors and animals in the future.
To this day, the Bark incident remains one of the darkest moments in the history of the Toronto Zoo, serving as a tragic reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of cruel and reckless actions.