North American Polar Bear Population

Right? Too many darn generic "northern" names.

The founder rep in the US is truly appalling, especially for males, even if the SSP does a major overhaul and re-pairs, there's not a ton of unrelated lines anymore.

For males, we have the following individual lines:

Aussie x Arki
Marty
Payton
Hudson

Nikita (Marty x Nan)
Siku ( Marty x Crystal)
Sakari (Marty x Crystal)
Borealis (Marty x Crystal)

Nuniq (Nanuq x Aurora)
Columbus 2019 (Lee x Aurora)
​

Kavek x Voda
Nuka
Koda

Yukon x Aurora
Lee

Columbus 2019 (Lee x Aurora)
​

Little One

That is a grand total of 4 separate founder lines. The biggest tragedies, in my opinion, are that Nanuq was not given an opportunity to produce more (extremely genetically valuable) cubs with Anana, since both were/are essentially unrepresented founders to the US population(I know Nanauq has the other kids now, but with Aussie x Arki line of course), and the loss of Lyutyik at the Alaska Zoo. Him and Cranbeary had the potential to produce incredibly valuable cubs as well. I suppose also the fact that Little One will likely never breed either. Thats a pretty big con too...

For females, the situation is slightly better off:

Aussie x Arki

Anana (Marty x Crystal)
Aurora (Marty x Crystal)
Suka (Marty x Crystal)
Hope (Marty x Crystal)

Nora (Nanuq x Aurora)
Neva (Nanuq x Aurora)
Amelia-Grey (Nanuq x Anana)
​

Yukon x Aurora
Anoki
Anana
Haley

Kavek x Voda
Cranbeary

Talini

Anana

Snowflake

With 6 separate lines of females, things are a bit better off, but some of them (especially snowflake) are getting up there in age, and I have a bad feeling not all six will contribute to the next generation...

Of course, there's also male Kali and Female Qannik, the wild born rescue cubs, but I believe they are not allowed to breed because of the idiotic UFWS, which makes absolutely no sense at all, in my opinion. I suppose there is always the possibility of more rescue cubs in the future, but I feel that it will be the non-breeding curse from USFW for them too.

Of course there are a few more bears I haven't included on the list, but they are all old non-breeders who won't be contributing to the population, so I see no point in including them with the potential breeding population.

 

Worth noting that some of the lineages might be distantly related to each other if we go back several generations, but that was probably long enough ago that relatedness would be minimal at this point.

There is also the three wild-born bears at San Diego, although those bears have been together for roughly 20 years now with no reproduction so probably not worth considering.

 

I know UFWS prohibits the breeding of Sea Otters to keep spaces open for unreleasable rehab pups, was the ruling on polar bears on similar grounds?
Either way, given in another 10 years we may have several additional empty polar bear exhibits, the ruling is atrocious for a threatened and iconic animal. If people no longer have direct exposure to polar bears, and the exhibits turn to grizzlies and blacks, my concern would be the polar bear starting to fall away from the public view. Given polar bears are usually the keystones of Arctic habitat complexes and conservation, it may start proving difficult to promote conservation of those areas.

 

I wouldn't be so pessimistic. I mean, the Save the Whales movement was a success despite most of the movement's supporters probably never having seen a living whale in the flesh, so even if there were no polar bears in zoos, I'm confident people would still support efforts to save them.

 

Might have come across a little more pessimistic than I meant, I don't doubt there will be support for polar bears still. I do think it may be slightly more work if the public has more limited places to be inspired by the bears.

 

Haha yup you're right, it's actually much worse than I lead on, lol.

Koda, Nuka, Cranberry, Snowflake, Anana, and Luna are all related through Herman Junior.

Lee, Anoki, Anana, Haley and Columbus 2019 are related to Talini (through Aurora), Anana and Luna (Through Chinook), Koda, Nuka, and Cranbeary (through full siblings Commodore and Skeena)

Yeesh

 

Generally, if a species under the MMPA is listed as federally threatened or endangered, that means no breeding. As a result, our captive sea otter and manatee populations are entirely non-breeding. Other native marine mammals - walruses, harbor seals, bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, etc - are *not* listed, and as such orphaned animals from those species can be bred in captivity without issue.

Due to their status as a federally threatened species, it is illegal to import polar bears from other countries, without exception. Polar bears were listed in 2008, and the last polar bears I know of in the US born internationally came here in the early 2000's. The Act also bans wild take, with an exception listed for "research, public display, survival/recovery of the species", etc. It is through this exception that USFWS can take in orphan animals that are federally listed and hand them over to zoos for long-term care. The bears are still owned by FWS; I'm not sure if the law prohibits the bears from breeding or if FWS just hasn't given zoos permission to do so, but either way zoos cannot breed them. There was also hope that the law might be amended to allow for international acquisitions to help support a captive assurance population; unfortunately, I haven't found evidence of any progress on that. Considering there was a significant fight just to allow one group of hunters to bring their hunted polar bear trophies back from Canada after they missed the 2008 deadline to get the carcasses in country, I don't have much confidence.

It would make sense that wild-caught polar bears would be affected by this (specifically those caught after 2008), while those already in captivity would not be; this puts polar bears in an unusual limbo state of having a population that is OK to breed, but not being able to supplement it in any way. If walruses get listed (which has been recently suggested), they will be in a similar situation.

 

Thanks for the information!
Quite a frustrating irony that the species that are threatened are unbreedable, but we can breed all the California sealions we have room for! (Yes, I know the majority of sealions are rescues, but it's rather an ironic situation anyway.)
I wonder how much lobbying and permits would be necessary to get some additional bears imported...

 

0.1 Anana was transferred from the Cincinnati Zoo to the Detroit Zoo between January 27th and 31st.
New Polar Bear Makes Her Debut at the Detroit Zoo | Detroit Zoo

Anana has been acclimating well to her new home, and interactions between her and Nuka, the zoo's male polar bear, have been very promising. The Detroit Zoo is optimistic that the two will mate this breeding season and produce cubs during the winter denning season. Anana is expected to make her official debut during International Polar Bear Day on February 27.

 

According to Omaha's USDA inspection report from March 20 2019, they had one polar bear. Anyone know what's up with that?

 

USDA inspection reports are notoriously unreliable. There's a thread about that somewhere.

 

Zoo species lists from USDA inspection reports

 

Thanks, noted, I'd forgotten about that thread So far I'd been assuming things were just off display, this was the first one I'd seen that was considerably large/didn't make sense.

 

The male polar bear cub born to 1.0 Lee and 0.1 Aurora on November 28, 2019, at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium has been named Kulu, an Inuit term for 'endearment'. The other two names the public were able to vote for were Minik, Inuit for 'splash', and Corky, in honour of Armstrong World Industries' beginnings as a cork manufacturer.

Polar Bear Cub Named - Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

 

Buzz, one of the Como Park Zoo's polar bears, has been euthanized at 24 from neural concerns. He is survived by his brother Neil.

Buzz, Como Park Zoo polar bear, dies at 24

 

Wait, so the reason Kali is all alone in his exhibit is because it is prohibited by law for him to ever have a mate/father cubs? Just because he was wild-born and not captive-born? That’s asinine. More than half of all polar bears in zoos are permanently infertile or too genetically close to sustain a viable population. That law is hindering conservation efforts and needs to be amended immediately.

 

1.0 Lee is expected to be transferred from the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium to another AZA-accredited institution where he will act as a companion to the receiving institution’s female.

Male Polar Bear, Lee, is Moving to New Home - Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

34-year-old 1.0 Boris passed away on September 1, 2020, at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

Farewell, Boris - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

1.0 Nuniq is expected to be transferred from the Henry Vilas Zoo to the Kansas City Zoo where he will join Berlin, the zoo’s female polar bear. 1.0 Borealis is expected to be transferred from the Toledo Zoo to the Henry Vilas Zoo after Nuniq’s departure where Berit, the zoo’s female polar bear, will serve as the companion to the young bear.

Polar Bear Moves | Henry Vilas Zoo

 

It has been a year since the North American population of polar bears was updated so the following post will publicize the current census.

Currently, there are 67 (33.34.0) polar bears in North America. Of the 67 polar bears, 24 (14.10.0) reside at 5 institutions in Canada, 1 (0.1.0) resides at an institution in Mexico, and 42 (19.23.0) reside at 23 institutions in the United States.

Spoiler: Population

Canada
Beyond Bears Inc. - Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
0.1 Agee (Imarec × Mirsha) 1995.01.03
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Assiniboine Park Zoo - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
1.0 Storm (WILD × WILD) 2010.00.00
1.0 York (WILD × WILD) 2014.00.00
1.0 Nanuq (WILD × WILD) 2015.00.00
1.0 Siku (WILD × WILD) 2015.00.00
1.0 Baffin (WILD × WILD) 2016.00.00
0.1 Aurora (WILD × WILD) 2012.00.00
0.1 Kaska (WILD × WILD) 2012.00.00
0.1 Star (WILD × WILD) 2013.00.00
0.1 Willow (WILD × WILD) 2016.00.00
Total: 5.4.0 (9)

Canadian Polar Bear Habitat - Cochrane, Ontario, Canada
1.0 Eddy (Agaguk × Nanuk) 1999.12.10
1.0 Inukshuk (WILD × WILD) 2002.00.00
1.0 Ganuk (Inukshuk × Aisaqvak) 2009.11.30
1.0 Henry (Nelson × Liya) 2013.05.09
Total: 4.0.0 (4)

Toronto Zoo - Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
1.0 Hudson (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2011.10.11
1.0 Humphrey (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2013.11.09
0.1 Aurora (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
0.1 Nikita (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
0.1 Juno (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2015.11.11
Total: 2.3.0 (5)

Saint Félicien Zoo - Saint Félicien, Quebec, Canada
1.0 Yelle (Victor × Huggies) 2005.11.26
1.0 Kinuk (Yelle × Aisaqvak) 2018.11.27
1.0 Shouka (Yelle × Milak) 2018.12.11
0.1 Aisaqvak (WILD × WILD) 2002.00.00
0.1 Milak (Felix × Victoria) 2008.12.07
Total: 3.2.0 (5)

Mexico
Guadalajara Zoo - Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
0.1 Agata (Agaguk × Tatuk) 1997.11.23
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

United States
Alaska Zoo - Anchorage, Alaska, United States
0.1 Cranbeary (Kavek × Voda) 2001.11.21
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California, United States
1.0 Kalluk (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
0.1 Chinook (WILD × WILD) 1995.00.00
0.1 Tatqiq (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Brookfield Zoo - Brookfield, Illinois, United States
1.0 Hudson (Aussie × Arki) 2006.12.14
0.1 Nanuyaak (WILD × WILD) 1994.00.00
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, Illinois, United States
1.0 Siku (Marty × Crystal) 2009.12.03
0.1 Talini (Triton × Bärle) 2004.11.22
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky, United States
0.1 Qannik (WILD × WILD) 2011.01.10
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Maryland Zoo - Baltimore, Maryland, United States
0.1 Amelia Gray (Nanuq × Anana) 2016.11.08
0.1 Neva (Nanuq × Aurora) 2016.11.14
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Detroit Zoo - Royal Oak, Michigan, United States
1.0 Nuka (Kavek × Voda) 2004.11.25
0.1 Anana (Andy × Chinook) 2000.12.12
0.1 Suka (Marty × Crystal) 2012.11.21
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Como Park Zoo - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
1.0 Neil (Irsinak × Skeena) 1995.12.09
Total: 1.0.0 (1)

Kansas City Zoo - Kansas City, Missouri, United States
0.1 Berlin (Icee × Connie) 1989.12.11
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Saint Louis Zoo - St. Louis, Missouri, United States
1.0 Kali (WILD × WILD) 2013.00.00
Total: 1.0.0 (1)

Albuquerque BioPark Zoo - Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
1.0 Kiska (Andy × Chinook) 1996.11.19
1.0 Koluk (Andy × Chinook) 1996.11.19
Total: 2.0.0 (2)

Buffalo Zoo - Buffalo, New York, United States
1.0 Sakari (Marty × Crystal) 2012.11.21
0.1 Luna (Nanuq × Anana) 2012.11.27
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Seneca Park Zoo - Rochester, New York, United States
0.1 Anoki (Yukon × Aurora) 1996.11.20
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

North Carolina Zoo - Asheboro, North Carolina, United States
1.0 Nikita (Marty × Nanuyaak) 2006.11.21
0.1 Anana (Yukon × Aurora) 1999.11.27
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Cincinnati Zoo - Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
1.0 Little One (Nauyat × Snowball) 1989.12.13
Total: 1.0.0 (1)

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium - Powell, Ohio, United States
1.0 Lee (Yukon × Aurora) 1999.11.27
1.0 Kulu (Lee × Aurora) 2019.11.28
0.1 Anana (Marty × Crystal) 2006.11.25
0.1 Aurora (Marty × Crystal) 2006.11.25
Total: 2.2.0 (4)

Toledo Zoo - Toledo, Ohio, United States
1.0 Marty (Aussie × Arki) 1996.11.25
1.0 Borealis (Marty × Crystal) 2018.12.09
0.1 Crystal (Orca × Saskia) 1998.11.10
Total: 2.1.0 (3)

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
1.0 Koda (Kavek × Voda) 2004.11.25
0.1 Snowflake (Herman II × Becky) 1995.11.28
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Memphis Zoo - Memphis, Tennessee, United States
1.0 Payton (Aussie × Arki) 2003.11.08
0.1 Haley (Yukon × Aurora) 2002.11.15
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Hogle Zoo - Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
0.1 Nora (Nanuq × Aurora) 2015.11.06
0.1 Hope (Marty × Crystal) 2015.12.03
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Tacoma, Washington, United States
1.0 Blizzard (WILD × WILD) 1995.00.00
Total: 1.0.0 (1)

Henry Vilas Zoo - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
1.0 Nuniq (Nanuq × Aurora) 2016.11.14
0.1 Berit (Olaf × Ulu) 1998.12.28
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Milwaukee County Zoo - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
0.1 Snow Lilly (Nicklee × Penny) 1984.12.05
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

 

I am guessing there will be more polar bear moves announced, and hopefully more breeding situations taken advantage of in the US. Especially now that Lee is a proven breeder, hopefully he is being moved to a zoo with a reproductive female.

 

Any news on possible denning occurring?

Luna at Buffalo is a potential pregnancy according to this article:
Could this be the year Luna the polar bear becomes a mom? | wgrz.com