Notes:
If it is true that polar bears suffer fractures more frequently than other captive ursids, why? Trauma was the cause of all fractures in this case series. We hypothesized that some fractures could be due to decreased mineral density in the affected bones. Thus, we thought that the possibility of a vitamin or mineral deficiency should be considered. Some of the key players in bone metabolism are Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. Vitamin D increases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus and stimulates bone resorption.