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June 5, 2000
A Major Expose'
Stonehamites and lovers of wildlife were deeply saddened last week at the passing of Major, the Stone Zoo's long-time star attraction. Like fellow showbiz legends John Belushi and Chris Farley, both of whom he was frequently compared with, he was 33 at the time of his death. Thus it seems approriate now to take a deeper look at Major: The Bear, The Myth, The Legend.
His real name was Ursa Major, but he was years ahead of such show business stars as Sting and Madonna in opting to use just one name, Major.
He was caught in Siberia in 1966 where his family had been exiled to by the Soviet authorities for "counter-revolutionary activities."
Sent to the New England Science Center in Worcester in 1971 (now known as the Ecotarium), he was then transferred to the Stone Zoo in 1975 where he became a major attraction.
He made several conjugal visits to Worcester between 1975 and 1983 to breed with Ursa Minor, who gave birth to their daughter Kenda in 1984.
His status as a star led to some difficulties with the press, whom he felt, was intruding on his private life. His brief marrige to Cher in the mid-seventies proved to be a bonanza for the paparazzi that followed the couple's every move.
Many may recall his much publicized legal battles with the makers of Polar Seltzer and Klondike Bars, both of which he accused of using his likeness for advertising puposes without his permission. After years of court battles, the sides eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed sum of money.
He remained the zoo's star attraction despite the institution?s financial difficulties, which forced them to sell off many of their animals to George Steinbrenner?s New York Yankees.
Major's health declined in recent years, and he was forced to cut back his work schedule, limiting his time spent swimming and eating fish. He suffered from the advanced stages of liver cancer and had to be euthanized on June 3. Rumors abounded of the euthanasia being assisted by Dr. Jack Kavorkian, which zoo officials vehemently deny.
One of Major's closest friends, the lion, lamented his long time companion?s death yesterday.
"Grrrrrrghrrrrghrrrrgh," he said through tears.
His widow, Ursa Minor was in seclusion and could not be reached for comment.
Their daughter Kenda has refused to publicly comment because she is reportedly working on a tell-all book about her famous father titled, "Major Dearest."
Posted by dmargarita at June 5, 2000 9:40 PM