If I remember correctly, Mother Bear somehow didn't take to Baby
Bear and refused to take care of him. So instead of watching him
die from neglect, the zoo keepers decided to take care of him
themselves.
Nobody wanted to kill him but some people felt that it was
inappropriate and against nature to hand-rear a polar bear
cub.
My memory fails... I think more details can be garnered from our
resident Bear, who has a brilliant memory! 
