The polar bear, who had the hilarious name of “Jerka,” was killed by a mutated form of the virus that she caught from the zoo’s zebra population. (Who are the REAL jerkas here?

A zebra died at a farm in northern Indiana due to exposure to the extreme cold brought on by this week's historic polar vortex. Carroll County Sheriff Tobe Leazenby told WLFI-TV that the animal ...

In 2010 at the Wuppertal Zoo in Germany, brain inflammation killed one female polar bear, Jerka, and sickened her male companion, Lars, whom veterinarians were able to save.

Zoo Polar Bear Thanks Zebra for Deadly Herpes Virus Exotic animals in Germany’s Wuppertal Zoo aren’t just sharing smiles and admiration from visitors. They are sharing deadly viruses, too.

Zoos bring together different animal species that would never encounter each other in the wild. On occasion, this can have unforeseen consequences. When in 2010 at the Wuppertal Zoo one polar bear ...

In 2010 at the Wuppertal Zoo in Germany, brain inflammation killed one female polar bear, Jerka, and sickened her male companion, Lars, whom veterinarians were able to save. Brain-swelling disease ...

When the polar bears started dying, nobody suspected the zebras. Jerka was the first. The 20-year-old polar bear was born in captivity, and had lived in Germany’s Wuppertal Zoo since the age of two.

Zebra virus spreads to polar bears. Published. 17 August 2012. Image source, AFP. Zoos are being warned to be on the lookout for deadly viruses that can jump between different animals.

Zebra virus kills polar bear in German zoo. Published. 17 August 2012. Share. close panel. Share page. Copy link. About sharing. Image caption, Jerka died from a mystery brain virus. By Helen Briggs.

In 2010 at the Wuppertal Zoo in Germany, brain inflammation killed one female polar bear, Jerka, and sickened her male companion, Lars, whom veterinarians were able to save. IE 11 is not supported.

In 2010 at the Wuppertal Zoo in Germany, brain inflammation killed one female polar bear, Jerka, and sickened her male companion, Lars, whom veterinarians were able to save. Brain-swelling disease ...