North American Polar Bear Reproduction

Elephant Enthusiast

Elephant Enthusiast

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
The purpose of this thread is to address the state of polar bear reproduction in North America, to suggest ways to improve breeding between zoos, and to determine potential breeding candidates.

Most zoos in North America have polar bears as part of their collection. Those that exhibit polar bears are more or less dedicated to the breeding of polar bears as well. Unfortunately, in the past decade, fewer and fewer polar bears have been born in North America. Since 2010, 11 polar bear cubs have survived past infancy since their birth. In addition, the North American polar bear population is gradually aging making breeding much more challenging. Like any other mammal, if a female polar bear doesn’t reproduce for quite some time, it becomes difficult for the female to successfully carry a pregnancy without complication. Further, North American zoos who have polar bears are not working together to bolster the captive population. Although many North American zoos have acquired polar bears from other institutions for breeding, very few polar bears are becoming pregnant. Currently, there are no known pregnant polar bears in North America that have been publicly announced. In addition, polar bears that have been rescued in the past decade are unable to participate in the breeding program as laws prohibit wild polar bears from breeding in North American zoos. If these laws aren’t changed within the next decade, the genetic diversity of polar bears in the North American population will decline. Ultimately, North American zoos committed to the reproduction of polar bears need to focus their attention on breeding their polar bears by collaborating with other institutions and evaluating polar bears of breeding age.

For decades, zoos in North America have been able to breed polar bears successfully through natural reproduction. However, the number of births in North America are gradually decreasing. Recently, artificial insemination has been attempted on numerous occasion but no successful pregnancies have resulted from the procedures. In their natural environment, both female and male polar bears live a primarily solitary life except for when the females raise their cubs and during the breeding season. In a captive environment, polar bears are often housed together to provide companionship to one another. However, this may be affecting the success of captive polar bear reproduction as male and female polar bears only socialize during the breeding season. For this reason, zoos should strive to keep female and male polar bears isolated except during the breeding season. By keeping female and male polar bears separate, it promotes natural social dynamics and prompts proper breeding behaviors during the breeding season. Further, zoos should work toward improving and perfecting artificial insemination techniques in polar bears. By improving reproductive techniques, polar bears will have the ability to conceive artificially if natural reproduction is unsuccessful. Overall, North American zoos can improve breeding by isolating female and male polar bears which promotes natural social dynamics and will enable zoos to work towards a common goal of building a sustainable population.

In North America, there are currently 68 (32.36) polar bears as of August 2018. Of those 68 polar bears, only 58 (26.32) are considered potential breeding candidates. The 58 (26.32) polar bears were chosen based on age, fertility, and breeding potential.

The 26 male and 32 female polar bears selected are:

0.0 Name (Father x Mother) Date of Birth (Location)

1.0 Little One (Nauyat x Snowball) 1989-12-13 (Cincinnati Zoo)
1.0 Marty (Aussie x Arki) 1996-11-25 (Toledo Zoo)
1.0 Lee (Yukon x Aurora) 1999-11-27 (Denver Zoo)
1.0 Eddy (Agaguk x Nanuk) 1999-12-10 (Aquarium du Québec)
1.0 Lyutyik (Menshikov x Uslada) 2000-12-09 (Alaska Zoo)
1.0 Kalluk 2000-00-00 (San Diego Zoo)
1.0 Inukshuk 2002-00-00 (Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat)
1.0 Payton (Aussie x Arki) 2003-11-08 (Memphis Zoo)
1.0 Nuka (Kavek x Voda) 2004-11-25 (Detroit Zoo)
1.0 Koda (Kavek x Voda) 2004-11-25 (Pittsburgh Zoo)
1.0 Yelle (Victor x Huggies) 2005-11-26 (Saint Felicien Zoo)
1.0 Nikita (Marty x Nanuyaak) 2006-11-21 (North Carolina Zoo)
1.0 Hudson (Aussie x Arki) 2006-12-14 (Brookfield Zoo)
1.0 Ganuk (Inukshuk x Aisaqvak) 2009-11-30 (Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat)
1.0 Siku (Marty x Crystal) 2009-12-03 (Lincoln Park Zoo)
1.0 Storm 2010-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)
1.0 Hudson (Inukshuk x Aurora) 2011-10-11 (Toronto Zoo)
1.0 Sakari (Marty x Crystal) 2012-11-21 (Buffalo Zoo)
1.0 Henry (Nelson x Liya) 2013-05-09 (Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat)
1.0 Humphrey (Inukshuk x Aurora) 2013-11-09 (Toronto Zoo)
1.0 Blizzard 2013-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)
1.0 Kali 2013-00-00 (Saint Louis Zoo)
1.0 York 2014-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)
1.0 Siku 2015-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)
1.0 Nuniq (Nanuq x Aurora) 2016-11-14 (Columbus Zoo)
1.0 Baffin 2016-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)

0.1 Snowflake (Herman II x Becky) 1995-11-28 (Pittsburgh Zoo)
0.1 Chinook 1995-00-00 (San Diego Zoo)
0.1 Nanuyaak 1995-00-00 (Brookfield Zoo)
0.1 Anoki (Yukon x Aurora) 1996-11-20 (Maryland Zoo)
0.1 Crystal (Orca x Saskia) 1998-11-10 (Toledo Zoo)
0.1 Berit (Olaf x Ulu) 1998-12-28 (Henry Vilas Zoo)
0.1 Anana (Yukon x Aurora) 1999-11-27 (North Carolina Zoo)
0.1 Anana (Andy x Chinook) 2000-12-12 (Cincinnati Zoo)
0.1 Nikita 2000-00-00 (Toronto Zoo)
0.1 Aurora 2000-00-00 (Toronto Zoo)
0.1 Tatqiq 2000-00-00 (San Diego Zoo)
0.1 Cranbeary (Kavek x Voda) 2001-11-21 (Denver Zoo)
0.1 Haley (Yukon x Aurora) 2002-11-15 (Memphis Zoo)
0.1 Aisaqvak 2002-00-00 (Saint Felicien Zoo)
0.1 Talini (Triton x Bärle) 2004-11-22 (Lincoln Park Zoo)
0.1 Aurora (Marty x Crystal) 2006-11-25 (Columbus Zoo)
0.1 Anana (Marty x Crystal) 2006-11-25 (Columbus Zoo)
0.1 Milak (Felix x Victoria) 2008-12-07 (Saint Felicien Zoo)
0.1 Taiga (Inukshuk x Aisaqvak) 2009-11-30 (Aquarium du Québec)
0.1 Qannik 2011-00-00 (Louisville Zoo)
0.1 Suka (Marty x Crystal) 2012-11-21 (Detroit Zoo)
0.1 Luna (Nanuq x Anana) 2012-11-27 (Buffalo Zoo)
0.1 Aurora 2012-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)
0.1 Kaska 2012-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)
0.1 Star 2013-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)
0.1 Nora (Nanuq x Aurora) 2015-11-06 (Hogle Zoo)
0.1 Juno (Inukshuk x Aurora) 2015-11-11 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)
0.1 Hope (Marty x Crystal) 2015-12-03 (Hogle Zoo)
0.1 Nanuq 2015-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)
0.1 Amelia Gray (Nanuq x Anana) 2016-11-08 (Columbus Zoo)
0.1 Neva (Nanuq x Aurora) 2016-11-14 (Columbus Zoo)
0.1 Willow 2016-00-00 (Assiniboine Park Zoo)

With only 58 (26.32) polar bears considered potential breeding candidates, pairing must be well thought out before any mating occurs to prevent inbreeding and to ensure a sustainable population.

This thread will enable others to learn about polar bear reproduction in North America. In addition, the thread will enable others to contribute suggestions on how the reproduction of polar bears in North America can improve.
 
Well Canadian bears and American bears cannot be exchanged due to the Marine Mammal Protection Act in the United States. Therefore for all intensive purposes these are separate populations. Canadian zoos seem to be mostly at capacity with their population, while US zoos have the separate problem.
 
@nczoofan, thank you for informing me about the regulations and rules set by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

I will agree that the Canadian population has essentially reached capacity but the Canadian population could still partake in the reproduction of polar bears. Are the polar bears, excluding 0.1 Juno as she was born in captivity, at the Assiniboine Park Zoo allowed to participate in the breeding program?

As for the problem with the polar bear population in the United States, are you referring to the lack of breeding, the lack of genetic diversity, and the inability for rescued polar bears to participate in the breeding program?
 
Elephant Enthusiast said:
@nczoofan, thank you for informing me about the regulations and rules set by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

I will agree that the Canadian population has essentially reached capacity but the Canadian population could still partake in the reproduction of polar bears. Are the polar bears, excluding 0.1 Juno as she was born in captivity, at the Assiniboine Park Zoo allowed to participate in the breeding program?

As for the problem with the polar bear population in the United States, are you referring to the lack of breeding, the lack of genetic diversity, and the inability for rescued polar bears to participate in the breeding program?
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Canadian zoos can partake in reproduction of their bears, yet where do they place those bears once mature? They can't be sent to the US, so they would have to be sent to another continent, likely Europe.

All of those are things you cite are problems. But the main problem at the moment is just a lack of breeding. The SSP has been desperate in recent years, even recommending elderly females to breed. Genetic diversity, while obviously an issue, is more long term.
 
nczoofan said:
Canadian zoos can partake in reproduction of their bears, yet where do they place those bears once mature? They can't be sent to the US, so they would have to be sent to another continent, likely Europe.
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You make a very valid point. However, if the breeding of Canadian polar bears doesn't continue, the population could run the risk of aging out. I would highly recommend that all institutions in Canada breed their polar bears to ensure the viability of the population.

As for space, there are only six institutions in Canada that currently house polar bears which hinders the breeding of the species. The following institutions are considering or should consider housing polar bears:

Vancouver Aquarium - Vancouver, British Columbia
The Vancouver Aquarium has, to my knowledge, never had polar bears but the Stanley Park Zoo once had polar bears during its time. With the phasing of cetaceans, the Vancouver Aquarium will need new animals to fill that void. Polar Bears would be ideal candidates as they're marine mammals and they derive from the Arctic. The Vancouver Aquarium will need to renovate the outdoor habitats to accommodate polar bears.

Calgary Zoo - Calgary, Alberta
The Calgary Zoo once had polar bears but were phased out for unknown reasons. Fortunately, when the Calgary Zoo announced their master plan, one of the components of phase II was to construct an area called Northern Shoreline which will house polar bears. With this new habitat, more polar bears will be able to reside in Canadian institutions.

Edmonton Valley Zoo - Edmonton, Alberta
The Edmonton Valley Zoo has, to my knowledge, never had polars bears. Fortunately, when the Edmonton Valley Zoo announced their master plan, one of new areas would be Polar Extremes which will house animals from the Arctic and one of the habitats will be designated for a large mammal. Given the size of the particular habitat and the surrounding exhibits, the enclosure would be perfect for polar bears.

Magnetic Hill Zoo - Moncton, New Brunswick
The Magnetic Hill Zoo has, to my knowledge, never had polar bears. The empty space adjacent to the African habitats has the potential to become a habitat for Arctic animals, specifically polar bears. If the Magentic Hill Zoo is willing to construct an enclosure for polar bears, that would significantly help the polar bear population in Canada.

Marineland of Canada - Niagara Falls, Ontario
Marineland of Canada has, to my knowledge, never had polar bears. The facility has housed black bears for decades which proves their ability to care for the husbandry of bears. In addition, the vast amount of vacant space offers the potential for a large polar bear habitat. If Marineland of Canada is willing to house polar bears, they would need to construct a large polar bear habitat, similar to the ones at the Toronto Zoo and Assiniboine Park Zoo.
 
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nczoofan said:
Well Canadian bears and American bears cannot be exchanged due to the Marine Mammal Protection Act in the United States. Therefore for all intensive purposes these are separate populations. Canadian zoos seem to be mostly at capacity with their population, while US zoos have the separate problem.
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OK, I don't understand that. Sure, polar bears are aquatic, but they rely on land just as much as they do on water. Could some explain to me why they count why say, hippos don't?
 
Yi Qi said:
OK, I don't understand that. Sure, polar bears are aquatic, but they rely on land just as much as they do on water. Could some explain to me why they count why say, hippos don't?
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Yes, a few reasons:

1. The MMPA deals with marine mammals that are native to the United States: cetaceans, pinnipeds, manatees, sea otters, and polar bears. Hippos (your example) are neither marine (living in freshwater) nor native to the US.

2. Polar bears rely mainly on the ocean for food, as seals make up their main food source.

3. While polar bears don't spend most of their time in the water, they do spend most of their time on sea ice, which is a marine habitat. Marine habitats are under the jurisdiction of NOAA, which jointly implements the MMPA along with USFWS and the MMC (clarification can be given on all of these acronyms, if necessary), so polar bears fall under the umbrella.

It's worth noting that sea otters and manatees cannot currently be bred in US zoos at all due to the same legal framework.
 
The Canadian and US bears are two very separate populations because of US laws. By no means do most zoos have polar bears. Many zoos would like polar bears. Several US zoos want polar bears and are building exhibits for them but there are no bears to fill those exhibits.

In Canada all the rescued bears could breed. Being rescued wont stop them from being breeders. However Assiniboine is neutering males as they come of age to keep them social with each other and prevent pregnancies. They are more interested in rescuing cubs than producing new ones. The females are not being spayed to my knowledge so they have potential down the line. So far I think Storm and Blizzard have been neutered. Their desire to prevent breeding is why Hudson and Humphrey have been returned to Toronto. Toronto wouldn't neuter them.

Furthermore you need to remove Inukshuk from the list. He could breed but wont be allowed to in all likelihood. He is massively over represented with 5 surviving cubs to his name. The only reason he will be allowed to breed again is if several die or if Toronto successfully gets Hudson and Humphrey to Europe as planned. Even then I think a death will be needed. He has two daughters who would be the focus of breeding attempts in the future so he really isn't needed. Also Toronto's Aurora is well represented by her three cubs with Inukshuk plus she incapable of rearing cubs. 3 or 13 is terrible odds and those three only survived due to hand rearing. Her sister Nikita isn't needed as well plus she seems incapable of getting pregnant. She's had every chance Aurora had and not a single cub was born, even a still born. I'd say Inukshuk, Nikita and Aurora are out as breeders.

Yelle seems to not be a breeder. He has yet to sire a litter with a proven female in Aisaqvak. Now hes striking out with two females. Once Henry is a little older or if Assiniboine decides to not neuter a male maybe a switch up will come.

I highly doubt the Canadian population is in any real risk of aging towards phase out. I don't think there is a 20 year old bear in the population. Most are under 10. And with the joys of global warming more orphaned cubs will come available. If you exclude the Assiniboine males there are still 4 young males untested with females (Hudson, Humphrey, Ganuk and Henry) plus the two unproven males (Yelle and Eddy) who could also be paired with any female (except female relations) if cubs were needed. Canada is in an infinitely better position than the US.

In terms of facilities Canada isnt out of space yet. Cochrane has housed 5 bears at once but has 3. Aquarium du Quebec and Zoo Sauvage have space for cubs. Assiniboine can house 12 adult bears at Journey to Churchill and another I think 6-8 at the ICC. Toronto seems to be the only one at capacity. Plus exports are a possibility. Europe and Japan want bears. The US wont be giving any over. Canada and Russia will be the main sources.

Polar bear facilities are a substantial investment. Only a handful of zoos can really afford the cost in Canada. Calgary and Vancouver Aquarium are the two most able to do it. It does require a ton of land too. Calgary is on an island so they need to decide what to sacrifice. I don;t know if Vancouver has the space either until they totally get rid of their cetaceans and even then do they have the space they need for a land exhibit.

I am a little perplexed why Magnetic Hill is even a consideration.

Edmonton is a maybe.

God I hope not until Marineland can establish itself in a new world without its former owner. It could go either way. If it gets worse... I shutter to think. If it improves and comes on par with other zoos like Toronto and Calgary then sure.

The only other considerations might be Parc Safari as it continues to grow and develop in interesting ways lately but that might be a stretch for it or Granby as its a thriving zoo.

In the US there is a real problem. Not enough breeding males, females getting older who have never bred, neutered males, cubs coming from the same few parents and the government does control breeding in rescued bears. So many problems. I could go into all of it but it's been extensively covered in the US forum.
 
0.1 Anana at the Cincinnati Zoo may not be the only possibly pregnant polar bear in the United States… 0.1 Cranbeary at the Alaska Zoo may also be pregnant!
Denver Zoo bear shipped to Alaska may just be pregnant | 9news.com
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden hopes to welcome first polar bear cubs in 25 years

If Cranbeary is pregnant, she'll be giving birth in November or December which will be FANTASTIC news as Cranbeary failed to produce a cub while at the Denver Zoo. In addition, if Cranbeary is pregnant, she'll be kept separate from the Alaska Zoo's male polar bear Lyutyik. Further, the father of Cranbeary’s cub(s) is 1.0 Lee, the soon to be male polar bear at the Columbus Zoo. Fingers crossed for TWO pregnancies!
 
Elephant Enthusiast said:
In addition, polar bears that have been rescued in the past decade are unable to participate in the breeding program as laws prohibit wild polar bears from breeding in North American zoos. If these laws aren’t changed within the next decade, the genetic diversity of polar bears in the North American population will decline.
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What is the rationale behind the breeding ban on wild-rescued polar bears in zoos?

Coelacanth18 said:
It's worth noting that sea otters and manatees cannot currently be bred in US zoos at all due to the same legal framework.
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Similarly, what's the rationale behind this in the MMPA? Sorry, I'm not extremely familiar with the law, and was wondering whether you could explain the prevention of breeding for these species, while breeding of others is allowed?
 
0.1 Suka gave birth to a female cub on November 28, 2018 at the Detroit Zoo. Sadly, the unnamed cub passed away on November 30, 2018. The sire was 1.0 Nuka. A neocrospy is being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Detroit Zoological Society Mourns Loss of Polar Bear Cub - Detroit Zoo

Yi Qi said:
Aisaqvak of Sauvage Zoo in St-Félicien, Quebec gave birth to her fourth cub on Nov. 27. Its gender hasn't been determined yet.

Saint-Félicien zoo celebrates birth of baby polar bear
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The sire of the cub is 1.0 Yelle and it's his first offspring.
 
Elephant Enthusiast said:
0.1 Suka gave birth to a female cub on November 28, 2018 at the Detroit Zoo. Sadly, the unnamed cub passed away on November 30, 2018. The sire was 1.0 Nuka. A neocrospy is being conducted to determine the cause of death.
Detroit Zoological Society Mourns Loss of Polar Bear Cub - Detroit Zoo
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While this is obviously disappointing news, the silver lining is that a female polar bear *not* at Columbus or Toledo gave birth... this should be considered a step in the right direction, if a very minor and possibly still inconsequential one.
 
John Marchwick said:
A polar bear cub has been born at the Toledo Zoo!!!

Toledo Zoo announces birth of polar bear cub
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Twenty year old 0.1 Crystal gave birth to a cub on December 9, 2018 at the Toledo Zoo. The sire is Twenty-two year old 1.0 Marty.
Toledo Zoo announces birth of polar bear cub | Toledo Blade

This is Crystal's seventh viable cub and Marty's eighth viable cub. As a pair, the two have produced seven viable cubs.

Congratulations to the Toledo Zoo for another successful birth and their success in the reproduction of polar bears.
 
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