Could Singapore-born polar bear, Inuka, replace Ah Meng as the Singapore Zoo's icon?

In 1993, The Straits Times' annual National Day supplement named Inuka as one of "28 people and things to call our own", alongside national swimmer Joscelin Yeo, the Vanda Miss Joaquim and the Singapore Sling.

Then in 2001, Inuka was named by the zoo as a possible replacement for the late orang utan Ah Meng as the zoo's mascot, among other candidates like elephant Sang Raja and orang utan Hong Bao.Like Ah Meng, Inuka is also the zoo's Wildlife Conservation Ambassador.

Well, for one thing the world's only polar bear born and bred in the tropics, which Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) adopted when he was born, is a real entertainer. Today, the adoption comes under Singapore Press Holdings Foundation, the charity arm of SPH.

Inuka has learnt to jump, ring a bell, wave and even dance - so long as he gets rewarded with fish, bread loaves and fruit.Over in Germany, the Berlin Zoo has also found success with its own polar bear that was born in captivity.

Knut, the polar bear, who was born at the Zoologischer Garten Berlin on Dec 05, 2006, was rejected by his mother at birth and subsequently raised by zoo keepers.He has since became a popular tourist attraction and commercial success.

What do you think? Would Inuka be your choice? Have your say and vote for your next Singapore Zoo icon this weekend on AsiaOne.