A petition to free an elderly polar bear, dubbed the world's saddest animal from the sweltering heat of his current zoo has passed 400,000 signatures.
Arturo, the only polar bear in Argentina, is living in an enclosure in Mendoza, hundreds of miles west of Buenos Aires.
Specialists and activists are lobbying to transfer him to a zoo in Winnipeg, Canada to spare him from the Argentine heat.
Now, a petition to Argentine president for his transfer has passed 400, signatures.
Arturo is unable to swim and cannot escape the heat of his enclosure
The petition, which is addressed to Argentine president Christina Fernandez de Kirchner, says: "We ask that you exercise your authority so the polar bear Arturo, who lives in deplorable conditions in the Mendoza Zoo, is moved to Assiniboine Park Zoo in Canada, where a natural habitat and a better life is awaiting him.
"We plead that you intervene on this issue and ask the officials in Mendoza, who have the polar bear Arturo prisoner, to accept Arturo's transfer to the reserve so he can live in suitable conditions.
"In December 2012, a polar bear died in Buenos Aires due to heat, causing unease in Argentina and in the international community."
According to the petition, Arturo cannot, meaning he cannot escape the sweltering temperatures.
Story continues beneath slideshow
Arturo, "World's Saddest" Polar Bear, At Argentina Zoo
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Arturo, a polar bear living at Mendoza Zoo in Argentina, is the subject of a petition to have him moved to a facility in Winnipeg. It has gained over 200,000 signatures. (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
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Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(12 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(13 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(14 of66)
4 week-old twin polar bear cubs play during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(15 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins play in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(16 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs are seen with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(17 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(18 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(19 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins come with their mother during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(20 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(21 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(22 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins sit with their mother in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(23 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins sit with their mother in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(24 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(25 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(26 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies are pictured with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(27 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies are pictured with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(28 of66)
One of the 14 week-old twin polar bear babies is seen under her mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(29 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins sit with their mother in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(30 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies play with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(31 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies are pictured with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(32 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies rest next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(33 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(34 of66)
One of the 14 week-old twin polar bear cubs plays with her mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(35 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs are pictured with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(36 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies rest with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(37 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs are pictured with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(38 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs are pictured with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(39 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs are pictured with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(40 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies rest with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(41 of66)
One of the 14 week-old twin polar bear babies rests with her mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(42 of66)
One of the 14 week-old twin polar bear babies is pictured with her mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(43 of66)
One of the 14 week-old twin polar bear babies is pictured with her mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(44 of66)
One of the 14 week-old twin polar bear babies is pictured during the first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(45 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies play together during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (Photo by Alexandra Beier/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(46 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins play with their mother in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(47 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins walk in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(48 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs are seen with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(49 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(50 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(51 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(52 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(53 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins walk in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(54 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(55 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear cubs play next to their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(56 of66)
One of the 14 week-old twin polar bear babies is pictured with her mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(57 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins come out of their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(58 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins play with their mother in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Babies(59 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies sit together with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(60 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins play with their mother in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(61 of66)
The 14 week old polar bear twins play with their mother in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(62 of66)
One of the 14 week old polar bear twins plays with the mother in their enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(63 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies rest with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(64 of66)
One of the 14 week old polar bear twins sits behind a rock in the enclosure during the first outside excursion in the zoo in Munich Hellabrunn, southern Germany, on March 19, 2014. (credit:Getty Images)
Munich Zoo Presents Twin Polar Bear Cubs(65 of66)
14 week-old twin polar bear babies sit together with their mother Giovanna during their first presentation to the media in Hellabrunn zoo on March 19, 2014 in Munich, Germany. The male and female twins were born on December 9, 2013 in the zoo. (Photo by Alexandra Beier/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Two Polar Bear Cubs Born At Munich Zoo(66 of66)
Screenshot of a video from December 9, 2013 released by the Muenchener Tierpark Hellabrunn zoo shows two new born polar bears cuddling with their mother Giovanna at the Muenchener Tierpark Hellabrunn zoo on December 11, 2013 in Munich, Germany. The two cubs, who have yet to be named, were born on December 9 to Giovanna and father Yoghi. (credit:Getty Images)
It adds: "Say no to death and suffering! Help Mendoza be part of change, be part of the future. Help Mendoza go back to being good news to the world!"
Arturo has earned the support of former Republican presidential candidate New Gingrich, who took to Facebook to urge people to sign the petition.
“If you love animals the way I do, you're going to want to sign the petition to save the Argentinean polar bear, Arturo,” Gingrich said. “This is very sad, and he should be saved.”
Arturo cannot transfer to Winnipeg because his medical records do not go back far enough, The Winnipeg Sun reported in February.
"There are very strict regulations that must be met to bring an animal into Canada," Don Peterkin, chief operations officer at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, told the paper.
"These regulations are in place to ensure the health and welfare of animals and animal-related industries so without the proper health records in place it's simply not possible to obtain the permits required."