Metro

New Yorkers call for replacement polar bear after loss of beloved ‘Gus’

Meet Kali, an orphaned polar cub who might replaced the beloved Gus. Kali is currently being cared for at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, Alaska.

Meet Kali, an orphaned polar cub who might replaced the beloved Gus. Kali is currently being cared for at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP)

They can’t bear to see Gus gone – and want a new polar bear to take his place.

Kids, politicians and even a cop on the beat want Central Park Zoo brass to replace Gus, the lovable, legendary polar bear who died this week at the ripe old age – for a polar bear – of 27.

“The record 52 million visitors who came to New York City last year came here to experience unique, only-in-New-York moments — and seeing Gus swim was certainly one of those,” Mayor Bloomberg told The Post today.

“While he can never be replaced, another polar bear would be a great addition to the zoo,” Hizzoner said.

GOP mayoral candidate Joe Lhota said, “Gus was an icon, but we should keep the tradition going of having a polar bear at the zoo.”

Democratic hopeful Bill de Blasio, who is leading in the latest polls, was also on bullish on a new bear.

“Gus was a great New Yorker and we all miss him, and it would be great to get another polar bear,” he said.

Democrat Bill Thompson agreed.

“Sure, it would be a good idea – particularly if we can get a younger polar bear for the zoo,” Thompson said. “It’s become a great attraction, people have a real attachment, I think people would feel very kindly about having a new polar bear for the zoo.”

And so did supermarket magnate and GOP wannabe John Catsimatidis.

“Gus the Polar Bear should be replaced. People come from all five boroughs and from around the world to visit the Central Park Zoo; it’s a New York institution. I vividly remember my first visit as a small child and the excitement of my own children when we brought them there. I am an animal lover and as long as the facilities are up to par I think it’s a great idea,” he said.

Dennis Thomas, head of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club – famed for their frigid mid-winter ocean dips – also urged the Wildlife Conservation Society – which runs the Central Park and Bronx zoos – to replace Gus.

“I think everyone in the Polar Bear Club mourns the loss of Gus. Certainly we have a kinship with our polar brothers. New York benefits from having a proud polar bear on display,” Thomas said.

Zoo-goers who had long been fans of Gus shared memories, and urged the zoo to find a replacement.

“I grew up on the Upper West Side. We came here all the time. He was always what you came to Central Park to see,” said Molly O’Steen, 23, a teacher from Astoria.

“He was this big, white lovable friend. I think they should get a new polar bear. I want future kids to be able to have that experience.”

Upper East Side triplets Joseph, Evan and Zoe Edeskuty, 8, their little brother Gracen, 3, and mom Heidi, 45, were huge Gus fans.

“He was big and white. I want them to get a new polar bear! We don’t see polar bears every day,” said Zoe.

“I would think they should make it a priority. We were going to see him today,” said their mom, who wasn’t aware Gus had passed away when she visited.

Newcomers, meanwhile, were dismayed to have missed the big guy.

“We came to the zoo to see the polar bear. We were disappointed. I’ve never seen a polar bear before. I don’t think anything can replace him,” said Danielle Maguire, 27, a teaching assistant from England.

Even hard-boiled NYPD cops assigned to the park got sentimental over Gus.

“He was one of the biggest attractions at the zoo. It would make sense to get another polar bear. I miss him already,” one cop said.

A number of the estimated 20 million fans who visited Gus during his 25-year run at the zoo took to social media to mourn his loss.

“Very sad day in NYC. #Gus the Woody Allen of Polar Bears has been put to rest. Central Park won’t be the same,” Evan Shapiro wrote on Twitter.

“Taking a moment to say goodbye to Gus. We remember when he was just a cub,” New York City’s Parks and Recreation Department tweeted.

Gus – known as “the bipolar bear” because of his eccentric antics, including swimming endless laps in his tiny pool – was euthanized this week because of an inoperable tumor.

The bear had recently fallen ill, losing his appetite and having trouble swallowing his food.

But Gus lived about seven years longer than the average polar bear.

Zoo officials said they’re not sure if Gus will be replaced by another Ursus maritimus – the scientific name for the massive mammals – or by another marine exhibit, such as seals.

Wildlife Conservation Society officials didn’t return repeated messages seeking comment.

Additional reporting by Yoav Gonen

Central Park Zoo’s last remaining polar bear, Gus, dead at age 27