Metro

Bid for new ‘Gus’ at Central Park Zoo

WE MISS YOU: A girl yesterday contemplates the polar-bear enclosure, empty since the death of Gus

WE MISS YOU: A girl yesterday contemplates the polar-bear enclosure, empty since the death of Gus (Stefan Jeremiah)

WE MISS YOU: A girl (inset) yesterday contemplates the polar-bear enclosure, empty since the death of Gus (above). (
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The only way to truly honor the late, great Gus would be to fill his Central Park Zoo enclosure with another mighty polar bear, New Yorkers told The Post yesterday.

“While he can never be replaced, another polar bear would be a great addition to the zoo,” Mayor Bloomberg said of Gus, who died Tuesday at the age of 27.

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.”

The Post launched a Twitter campaign yesterday using #HonorGus to urge the non-profit Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the Central Park and Bronx zoos, to find a worthy replacement.

Dennis Thomas, head of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club — famed for their winter ocean dips — happily jumped on board.

“Certainly we have a kinship with our polar brothers. New York benefits from having a proud polar bear on display,” Thomas said.

Long-time zoogoers had fond memories of Gus and were ready to make new ones with another playful polar bear.

“I grew up on the Upper West Side. We came here all the time,” said Molly O’Steen, 23, a teacher from Astoria. “He was this big, white, lovable friend. I want future kids to be able to have that experience.”

Newcomers 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 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,” said one Central Park officer.

Gus — known as “the bipolar bear” because of his eccentricity — was euthanized this week due to an inoperable tumor.

Zoo officials are not sure if Gus will be replaced — and even told The New York Times they may instead fill the enclosure with another seal. They did not return repeated messages.

Additional reporting by Yoav Gonen