North American Polar Bear Population 2023

Hudson and Hope at Brookfield have been reintroduced for breeding.

 

Toledo announced departure:
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Wait so is Nuka being transferred to Detroit or someplace else?

 

Nuka should be headed to Detroit from Toledo.

 

Toledo’s two cubs are both males!

The Toledo Zoo on Instagram: "Brrrrrrreaking news!!! ‍❄️‍❄️ Before Nuka’s departure, he helped reveal the cubs’ genders with an enrichment activity provided by our keepers. The cubs will need names, so stay tuned for their naming contest! Text “CUBS” to 419-900-8966 to be subscribed to our interactive messaging stream and receive exciting cub updates, including when our naming contest goes live. Message & data rates may apply & frequency varies. Opt out at any time. #toledozoo #toledoohio #zoo #zooanimals #babyanimals #polarbear #zooborns #polarbearcub #cub #baby #zookeeper #zookeeperlife #genderreveal #twins #cuteanimals"

 

It’s been announced! Nuka was indeed transferred back to Detroit from Toledo, in order to breed again with female, Suka.

Nuka the Polar Bear Returns to the Detroit Zoo - Detroit Zoo

 

Alaska Zoo - Anchorage, AK (1.1)
Cranbeary F (Kavek x Voda) b. 2001.11.21
UNKNOWN M (WILD x WILD) b. 2021 (est)

San Diego Zoo - San Diego, CA (1.2)
Kalluk M (WILD x WILD) b. 2000
Chinook F (WILD x WILD) b. 1995
Tatqiq F (WILD x WILD) b. 2000

Brookfield Zoo - Brookfield, IL (1.1)
Hudson M (Aussie x Arki) b. 2006.12.14
Hope F (Marty x Crystal) b. 2015.12.03

Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL (1.1)
Siku M (Marty x Crystal) b. 2009.12.03
Talini F (Triton x Barle) b. 2004.11.22

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, KY (0.1)
Qannik F (WILD x WILD) b. 2011.01.10

Detroit Zoo - Royal Oak, MI (1.3)
Suka F (Marty x Crystal) b. 2012.11.21
Nuka M (Kavek x Voda) b. 2004.11.25
Astra F (Nuka x Suka) b. 2020.11.17
Laerke F (Nuka x Suka) b. 2020.11.17

Como Park Zoo - Saint Paul, MN (2.1)
Neil M (Irsinak x Skeena) 1995.12.09 [sterile]
Nanuyaak F (WILD x WILD) b. 1994
Kulu M (Lee x Aurora) b. 2019.11.28

Kansas City Zoo - Kansas City, MO (1.0)
Nuniq M (Nanuq x Aurora) b. 2016.11.14

Saint Louis Zoo - St. Louis, MO (1.0)
Kali M (WILD x WILD) b. 2013

Albuquerque BioPark Zoo - Albuquerque, NM (2.0)
Kiska M (Andy x Chinook) b. 1996.11.19 [sterile]
Koluk M (Andy x Chinook) b. 1996.11.19 [sterile]

Buffalo Zoo - Buffalo, NY (1.1)
Sakari M (Marty x Crystal) b. 2012.11.21
Luna F (Nanuq x Anana) b. 2012.11.27

Seneca Park Zoo - Rochester, NY (0.1)
Anoki F (Yukon x Aurora) b. 1996.11.20

North Carolina Zoo - Asheboro, NC (1.1)
Anana F (Yukon x Aurora) b. 1999.11.27
Payton M (Aussie x Arki) b. 2003.11.08

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium - Powell, OH (1.1)
Aurora F (Marty x Crystal) b. 2006.11.25
Lee M (Yukon x Aurora) b. 1999.11.27

Toledo Zoo - Toledo, OH (2.1)
Crystal F (Orca x Saskia) b. 1998.11.10
Twin A M (Nuka x Crystal) b. 2022.11.11
Twin B M (Nuka x Crystal) b. 2022.11.11

Oregon Zoo - Portland, OR (0.2)
Nora F (Nanuq x Aurora) b. 2015.11.06
Amelia Gray F (Nanuq x Anana) b. 2016.11.08

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium - Pittsburgh, PA (0.1)
Snowflake F (Herman II x Becky) b. 1995.11.28

Memphis Zoo - Memphis, TN (1.1)
Haley F (Yukon x Aurora) b. 2002.11.15
Koda M (Kavek x Voda) b. 2004.11.25

Hogle Zoo - Salt Lake City, UT (1.1)
Nikita M (Marty x Nanuyaak) b. 2006.11.21
Neva F (Nanuq x Aurora) b. 2016.11.14

Henry Vilas Zoo - Madison, WI (1.1)
Berit F (Olaf x Ulu) b. 1998.12.28
Borealis M (Marty x Crystal) b. 2018.12.09

Total US Population (40)
19.21

 

From the article:
"Currently, there are only about 55 polar bears in 25 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums. Detroit Zoo officials are thrilled to welcome Nuka back so he can continue to be a part of ensuring the future of polar bears."

There appears to be 15 bears in 5 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums outside the US. I believe the only 2 holders in Canada with AZA accreditation are Toronto and Assiniboine. Not sure where the other 3 facilities referenced here are, or if this is bad information.

 

Canada has 5 facilities with polar bears.

Toronto houses 5 bears. There are females sisters Aurora and Nitika, Aurora's 2 boys Hudson and Humphrey and daughter Juno. All three cubs were sired by Inukshuk.

Assiniboine houses the most in the country with 10. There are males Storm, Nanqu, York, Siku, and Baffin and females Agee, Aurora, Kaska, Star and Willow. They could hold I believe somewhere between 12 to 15 adult bears plus cubs. All their bears were rescues from the wild except Agee who was a pet.

That accounts for your 15 bears right there.

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat houses Toronto owned male Inukshuk and his son Ganuk who should both be counted by the SSP bringing the total to 17. They also house male Henry who was imported from Australia.

Zoo Sauvage de Saint Félicien houses 3 bears. They have male Yelle and females Aisaqvak and Milak. Yelle has produced single male cubs with each female. Aisaqvak is also mother to Ganuk with Inukshuk.

Aquarium Du Quebec houses 3 bears as well. Their bachelor boys group consists of Eddy, half brothers Shouka and Kinuk (Yelle's boys).

In total Canada has 24 bears in captivity across 5 facilities. Another exhibit is about to be added in Calgary.

 

Eddy was actually euthanized in June 2021, at 21 years old.

 

I guess the AZA reference in the article is what I am unsure about. I don’t think all 5 of those are AZA. Are there other Ex-US AZA facilities with polar bears outside of Canada?

 

Nuka and Suka at Detroit have been reintroduced for breeding.

 

No all 5 facilities are not AZA, just Toronto and Assiniboine. The math in what the article told you doesnt seem right. Just between those 2 there are 15 bears. If there are 3 facilities that are AZA members outside the US then the total would have to be at least 18. Maybe a few passed at Assiniboine but they are very good at announcing passings of their bears and I know Toronto hasnt had a death recently. You are right its weird.

I didnt know Eddy had been put down. Sorry for the incorrect info. I dont follow Aquarium Du Quebec as closely as other places in Canada.

 

Berit and Borealis were sleeping together when I visited over the weekend. I don't recall if Henry Vilas Zoo was going to attempt to breed them or not.

What time of the year do polar bears typically give birth?

 

Births are typically in December. Due to delayed implantation, however, breeding could occur anytime now. I'd be surprised to see births out of Henry Vilas and it's unlikely that Berit will successfully concieve, but I doubt the zoo would be actively preventing them from breeding due to the current state of the population.

 

That makes sense! Their bears have access to both bear exhibits while the two grizzlies are sleeping, and it seems like the two of them prefer to stick together. I suppose they provide each other with companionship, at least!

 

Bo is only 4 years old and is too young to breed. Male polar bears generally don’t become sexually mature until they’re 8-10 years old.

 

That's not entirely true. Male polar bears in zoos have been observed successfully breeding as young as four, although I do agree that Bo is unlikely to sire cubs for at least a few more years.

 

Crystal’s little boys (at Toledo) have been named!

The names are “Kallu” and “Kallik” which are Inuit names meaning lightning and thunder. The boys are continuing to do well and will start to go on habitat in the next several weeks!

https://twitter.com/ToledoZoo/status/1646156398730805248?s=20

 

Sisters Astra and Laerke will be transferred from Detroit to Point Defiance Zoo this spring.

Detroit Zoological Society, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Collaborate to Provide Two Twin Polar Bear Cubs a New Home - Detroit Zoo