North American Polar Bear Population 2023

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wild boar said:
I was just on the phone with a Detroit Zoo representative and was told that Nuka is currently in transit! I was also informed that Astra and Laerke will not be leaving the Detroit Zoo this year. It is true that staff working in customer service jobs do not know everything, but I am inclined to believe her about Nuka's transfer (Toledo isn't that far from Detroit, so I'm not sure that he is being moved right now), because it isn't really something that could be mistaken. As for Astra and Laerke, plans might not be made as of now, but there isn't a specific timeframe for when transferring them must occur, because they aren't at breeding age.
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Toledo announced departure:
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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
 
IndianRhino said:
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
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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.
 
TZFan said:
Canada has 5 facilities with polar bears.
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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?
 
MidwestFan said:
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?
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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?
 
EsserWarrior said:
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?
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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.
 
Neil chace said:
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.
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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!
 
EsserWarrior said:
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.
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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.
 
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