POLAR BEAR NIPS GRAYWOLF FOR ZOO PRESIDENCY

After trailing much of the election, Ahpun the polar bear fended off a spirited campaign by Denali the gray wolf to be elected first “president” of the Alaska Zoo.

“It was paw to paw,” said zoo development director Eileen Floyd.The campaign, a fundraiser for the zoo in Anchorage, began Sept. 5 with a news conference and photo op. Ballots were $1 and zoo patrons were encouraged to stuff the ballot boxes with dollars for their favorite animal.