The Ucluelet Co-op had been recently renovated, and the work crew left this on top. A $100 Co-op gift certificate was the prize for "correctly" naming this creature. In the end, they drew names - here are some of the many creative entries: petrified whale poop, A possessed sea lionbear cross, sasquacoopy (local mythical sasquatch-otter mix found only on top of coop buildings), The last remaining local, under siege. And finally, from the winner:
The polar bear was once native to the Ucluelet Co-op. Its white fur used to insulate and protect it from the harsh cold of the Co-op freezer. Due to the sudden change in the Co-op's ecosystem, the polar bear left the Co-op to find a more stable environment. After venturing off to the outside world he found his white fur to be a hindrance and in a desperate attempt to fit in with the black bears he shaved his fur to reveal the black skin underneath. He may have fooled the tourists but not the local bears, and he was banished to the top of the tower.
and that's what it was... an inflatable polar bear, painted black!
thanks to Greg at the Westerly News in Ucluelet!
http://home.ukeecable.net/~westnews
