I think this is fake again, since PDL is involved, and since some of the people and organizations listed here do not appear to exist on the Internet. This time, even though this is sweet-hearted, I am fighting off a feeling of exhaustion at these projects. I could be wrong! If there is actually a sloth bear named Toshi at Free Sheep Foundation, corner of Third and Battery, well, I'll spend a night in her cage with her as comeuppance.

Here's the announcement:

The Zoo to You Foundation in association with Woodland Park Zoo, the Free Sheep Foundation and PDL, welcomes Toshi to the urban landscape of Seattle, Washington. For the month of December, pedestrians and animal enthusiasts can view this four year old, 1,200 pound Japanese Sloth Bear set against an alpine landscape of her native forest on Hokkaido Island, Japan. Safe inside an adapted commercial storefront, Toshi can be viewed by spectators throughout the day as she eats, plays and slumbers with her favorite toy doll Benji. This is the debut visit of a Sloth Bear to Woodland Park Zoo and the inaugural extension program of Zoo to You! Toshi is only the second Japanese Sloth Bear to ever visit the United States and represents a rare opportunity to see this threatened species in an accessible, urban environment.

About the Zoo to You Foundation

The Zoo to You Foundation started in Brooklyn, New York, in the mid 1970s by animal activist and behavior psychologist Dr. Dorian Weinerman. Dr. Weinerman recognized the importance of man interacting with other animal species, specifically large mammals. His modest program (Connecting People to Nature) started as a partnership between the Brooklyn Zoo and the public school system of New York City, where monkeys, zebras and a special black bear named Tony were introduced to classrooms, department stores and corporate boardrooms throughout New York. In 1988, the Zoo to You Foundation was formed, taking Dr. Weinerman's ideas to a national stage. Today, Zoo to You has partnerships with 55 city zoos and nature conservatories worldwide.

About Toshi

Toshi comes to Seattle in coordination with the Kushiro Municipal Zoo in Hokkaido, Japan. She will participate in the Zoo to You Foundation's urban integration program for the month of December before taking more permanent residence at the Woodland Park Zoo. She is very playful and curious and, being raised in captivity, is very comfortable around humans.

About Japanese Sloth Bears

The Japanese Sloth Bear is a lazy, timid creature that lives in the endangered forests in and around Daisetsuzan National Park, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The Japanese Sloth Bear spends most of its time foraging for its favorite food- the fruit of the barberry bush. Its browsing habits and shaggy, unkempt fur has earned it the local nickname shinrin moppu- "the mop of the forest." Adult Sloth Bears can reach a height of 1.25 meters at the shoulder, but, standing on its hind legs, can extend to 2.75 m to reach low hanging branches. Their sharp claws may seem like frightening weapons, but are actually used to dig up roots in the winter. Fur coloration ranges from black with rust-red streaks to light brown with blonde tufts. Female bear single young in spring. Population estimated at 1,250 animals.

While we are on the subject of the Woodland Park Zoo, I would like to add that my favorite animals at the zoo currently are this and this. If you are not acquainted with the particular creatures I am talking about, you are missing out. Go.