North American Polar Bear Population 2023

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Updated US Population List:
(there may be more movement that has not been announced, since there was one transfer that was underway already but resulted in death)

Alaska Zoo - Anchorage, AK (0.2)
Cranbeary F (Kavek x Voda) b. 2001.11.21
Kova F (WILD x WILD) b. 2021/2022 (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 (1.1)
Suka F (Marty x Crystal) b. 2012.11.21
Nuka M (Kavek x Voda) b. 2004.11.25

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 (1.0)
Kiska 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 (0.1)
Anana F (Yukon x Aurora) b. 1999.11.27

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
Kallu M (Nuka x Crystal) b. 2022.11.11
Kallik 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

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – Tacoma, WA (0.2)
Astra F (Nuka x Suka) b. 2020.11.17
Laerke F (Nuka x Suka) b. 2020.11.17

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 (38)
16.22
 
MidwestFan said:
Updated US Population List:
(there may be more movement that has not been announced, since there was one transfer that was underway already but resulted in death)

Alaska Zoo - Anchorage, AK (0.2)
Cranbeary F (Kavek x Voda) b. 2001.11.21
Kova F (WILD x WILD) b. 2021/2022 (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 (1.1)
Suka F (Marty x Crystal) b. 2012.11.21
Nuka M (Kavek x Voda) b. 2004.11.25

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 (1.0)
Kiska 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 (0.1)
Anana F (Yukon x Aurora) b. 1999.11.27

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
Kallu M (Nuka x Crystal) b. 2022.11.11
Kallik 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

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium – Tacoma, WA (0.2)
Astra F (Nuka x Suka) b. 2020.11.17
Laerke F (Nuka x Suka) b. 2020.11.17

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 (38)
16.22
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This really does not seem to be good.
 
MidwestFan said:
Polar bear Payton died while being transported from the North Carolina Zoo to the Louisville Zoo on a breeding loan. He was found unresponsive in the travel carrier.

North Carolina Zoo mourns the loss of polar bear Payton | North Carolina Zoo
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Now this is very interesting news, and I have some questions about this. On one hand, it's obviously sad that Payton has passed. On the other hand, it begs the question on who Payton had a breeding recommendation with. I see two possibilities. One (unfortunately the more likely imo) was that Qannik is/was going to be moving to North Carolina and Louisville was getting a new female to breed with Payton. The other (hopefully correct) possibility is that Qannik is now able to breed. If that's the case, that's some of the best news we've received in a whole, regardless of who she's paired with.
 
Wisp O' Mist said:
In other news, since Payton was being transferred to Louisville because of a breeding recommendation...

And knowing that Qannik is Louisville's only polar bear...

I take this to mean that the AZA have gotten approval from US Fish and Wildlife to breed Qannik.
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I think it would be prudent to take that with a large grain of salt. Many, many times, animals have been transferred on "breeding recommendations", when really they're just transfers for companionship/facility needs. Especially since their last bear was Lee, it would've made much more sense to retain him, considering he is both proven and more genetically valuable than Payton was.

Also, it would be Louisville themselves, most likely in conjunction with the SSP who had received permission for Qannik to breed, not the AZA themselves.
 
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This is very sad news not just for the population, but because of how devastating the loss of any animal is. I say that because I feel like after news like this, I often don't pay enough attention to the sadness of the loss itself in comparison to the affects that they can have on zoo plans or populations.

Although it is extremely saddening to hear, I am comforted by the fact that Payton wasn't young. As for the impact this has on the population, he wasn't proven and was already extremely well represented through his brother's eight offspring.

I wonder if the cardiac disease had something to do with his death, because, as regrettable but undeniable as it is, transfers can cause some anxiety. I hope that is not the case, though, because that paints a bad light.

Hyak_II said:
I think it would be prudent to that that with a large grain of salt. Many, many times, animals have been transferred on "breeding recommendations", when really they're just transfers for companionship/facility needs. Especially since their last bear was Lee, it would've made much more sense to retain him, considering he is both proven and more genetically valuable than Payton was.
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And the fact that the article stated a "breeding partnership," which can be used for many more connotations than "recommendation," makes your point even more valid.
 
Ex-US North American Polar Bear Population:
(if you have any additional information, please comment, as difficult to confirm all of these details)

Canada:
Calgary Zoo - Calgary, AB (2.0)
Baffin M (WILD x WILD) b. 2016 (est)
Siku M (WILD x WILD) b. 2015 (est)

Assinibione Park Zoo - Winnipeg, MB (2.5)
Kaska F (WILD x WILD) b. 2012 (est)
Nanuq F (WILD x WILD) b. 2015 (est)
Star F (WILD x WILD) b. 2013 (est)
Willow F (WILD x WILD) b. 2016 (est)
Storm M (WILD x WILD) b. 2010 (est)
York M (WILD x WILD) b. 2014 (est)
Agee F (Imarec x Mirsha) b. 1995.01.03

Aquarium du Quebec - Quebec, QC (3.0)
Kinuk M (Yelle x Aisaqvak) b. 2018.11.27
Shouka M (Yelle x Milak) b. 2018.12.10
Humphrey M (Inukshuk x ?) b. 2013.11.09

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat - Cochrane, ON (3.0)
Ganuk M (Inukshuk x Aisaqvak) b. 2009.11.30
Henry M (Nelson x Liya) b. 2013.05.09
Inukshuk M (WILD x WILD) b. 2002 (est)

Toronto Zoo - Toronto, ON (3.1)
Aurora F (WILD x WILD) b. 2000 (est)
Juno F (Inukshuk x Aurora) b. 2011.11.11
Nikita F (WILD x WILD) b. 2000 (est)
Hudson M (Inukshuk x Aurora) b. 2011.11.11

Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Felicien – Saint-Felicien, QB (2.1)
Aisaqvak F (WILD x WILD) b. 2002 (est)
Milak F (Felix x Victoria) b. 2008.11.07
Yelle M (? x ?) b. 2005.11.26

Mexico:
Guadalajara Zoo – Guadalajara, MX (0.1)
Agata F (? x ?) b. 1997.11.23
 
I've mentioned before that I consider it a good year for the polar bear SSP if the population breaks even, and a great year would be a net gain. As of now, there have been three bears pass away this year, so I'm really hoping for at least three cubs being born this denning season. Since it is late October right now, a lot of the females should start denning in the coming weeks (if they haven't already), with late November into December being when most births occur.

Here are the main breeding pairs I am watching in 2023, ranked by how optimistic I am with them:
1. Detroit Zoo (Nuka x Suka): Nuka has proven to be a very great sire, with cubs so far at both Detroit and Toledo. I'm very optimistic we will see one or two cubs out of Detroit this year, more so than any other zoo.

2. Columbus Zoo (Lee x Aurora): The other proven pair this year, although it has been longer since Aurora has had any cubs. This is the other pair I am very optimistic about, and I am optimistic that between Detroit and Columbus there is a high chance of a total of at least three cubs.

3. Buffalo Zoo (Sakari x Luna): Buffalo Zoo has been trying to breed this pair for a while, and this pair has been observed breeding. While Luna isn't necessarily the ideal female to breed since she's hand-reared, it remains one of the pairs with a higher likelihood of cubs this year.

4. Hogle Zoo (Nikita x Neva): This pair is a newer pair, and will hopefully be a successful one since Nikita is a fairly valuable male. Neither bear is particularly old either, which increases the likelihood of success.

5. Brookfield Zoo (Hudson x Hope): Brookfield Zoo used to be a powerhouse in breeding polar bears, but Hudson has yet to prove successful as a breeder and is older than Nikita. That said, this is only his second or third breeding season with Hope, so there's a fair chance that the pairing just needed a little more time to be successful.

6. Memphis Zoo (Koda x Haley): These bears are older than some of the others, so I'm less optimistic about their chance of success than the other unproven pairs. That said, they are also both genetically valuable so it'd be really great to see cubs out of Memphis!

Hopefully between these six zoos there will be enough cubs born this year to break even, if not a net gain. For now, these are the six pairs I am watching this denning season in hope of cubs. Especially Columbus and Detroit have likely chances of having successful cubs, but ideally there will be at least one newly proven pair this year.
 
MidwestFan said:
Ex-US North American Polar Bear Population:
(if you have any additional information, please comment, as difficult to confirm all of these details)

Canada:
Calgary Zoo - Calgary, AB (2.0)
Baffin M (WILD x WILD) b. 2016 (est)
Siku M (WILD x WILD) b. 2015 (est)

Assinibione Park Zoo - Winnipeg, MB (2.5)
Kaska F (WILD x WILD) b. 2012 (est)
Nanuq F (WILD x WILD) b. 2015 (est)
Star F (WILD x WILD) b. 2013 (est)
Willow F (WILD x WILD) b. 2016 (est)
Storm M (WILD x WILD) b. 2010 (est)
York M (WILD x WILD) b. 2014 (est)
Agee F (Imarec x Mirsha) b. 1995.01.03

Aquarium du Quebec - Quebec, QC (3.0)
Kinuk M (Yelle x Aisaqvak) b. 2018.11.27
Shouka M (Yelle x Milak) b. 2018.12.10
Humphrey M (Inukshuk x ?) b. 2013.11.09

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat - Cochrane, ON (3.0)
Ganuk M (Inukshuk x Aisaqvak) b. 2009.11.30
Henry M (Nelson x Liya) b. 2013.05.09
Inukshuk M (WILD x WILD) b. 2002 (est)

Toronto Zoo - Toronto, ON (3.1)
Aurora F (WILD x WILD) b. 2000 (est)
Juno F (Inukshuk x Aurora) b. 2011.11.11
Nikita F (WILD x WILD) b. 2000 (est)
Hudson M (Inukshuk x Aurora) b. 2011.11.11

Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Felicien – Saint-Felicien, QB (2.1)
Aisaqvak F (WILD x WILD) b. 2002 (est)
Milak F (Felix x Victoria) b. 2008.11.07
Yelle M (? x ?) b. 2005.11.26

Mexico:
Guadalajara Zoo – Guadalajara, MX (0.1)
Agata F (? x ?) b. 1997.11.23
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Humphrey's mother is Aurora. All Toronto's cubs were born to Aurora and Inukshuk. Also Hudson and Juno are not litter mates. Hudson was born 2010.10.11. and is the oldest of the trio. Then came Humphrey and you got his birthday right. Juno followed 2015.11.11. There were other litters and other littermates between 2009 and 2015 that just didnt survive.
 
TZFan said:
Humphrey's mother is Aurora. All Toronto's cubs were born to Aurora and Inukshuk. Also Hudson and Juno are not litter mates. Hudson was born 2010.10.11. and is the oldest of the trio. Then came Humphrey and you got his birthday right. Juno followed 2015.11.11. There were other litters and other littermates between 2009 and 2015 that just didnt survive.
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Thank you! I have updated my master list and will include when I post the next update, awaiting any movement in the US.
 
I was just listening to an episode of the Rossifari podcast that posted earlier this week, interviewing a couple polar bear keepers at North Carolina Zoo. According to one of the keepers, the US Fish & Wildlife Service released the ban on breeding Alaskan-born polar bears in American zoos. So when Payton was being moved to Louisville, the plan was indeed for him to breed with Qannik.
 
MeiLover said:
I was just listening to an episode of the Rossifari podcast that posted earlier this week, interviewing a couple polar bear keepers at North Carolina Zoo. According to one of the keepers, the US Fish & Wildlife Service released the ban on breeding Alaskan-born polar bears in American zoos. So when Payton was being moved to Louisville, the plan was indeed for him to breed with Qannik.
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I knew it!
 
MeiLover said:
when Payton was being moved to Louisville, the plan was indeed for him to breed with Qannik.
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What a shame to find out that was the plan all along! He was very valuable to the population and neither he nor Qannik ever has had cubs before. Hopefully Louisville can find Qannik a new mate soon and then there could be baby polar bears there in the future.
 
MeiLover said:
I was just listening to an episode of the Rossifari podcast that posted earlier this week, interviewing a couple polar bear keepers at North Carolina Zoo. According to one of the keepers, the US Fish & Wildlife Service released the ban on breeding Alaskan-born polar bears in American zoos. So when Payton was being moved to Louisville, the plan was indeed for him to breed with Qannik.
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Interesting, but incredible news! Hopefully all three bears are placed into breeding recs sooner rather than later. For Qannik, the ideal choice is to pair her with Lee, who she's already socially compatible with, assuming that Columbus has cubs this year. For Kali, there isn't as obvious of an option but either moving him back to Buffalo to see if Luna breeds with a different male, or finding him a spot to pair with one of the younger, unpaired females (Amelia Gray, Astra, or Laerke) would probably be the best choice, alternatively a male swap with Brookfield or Hogle if those pairings are unsuccessful would be a genetic improvement for those pairs. It's unlikely Kova can breed for another few years, but at that point there are some younger, unpaired males she could be paired with. Regardless, it'll be genetically fantastic for the population if even one of these three bears breeds successfully!
 
Neil chace said:
For Qannik, the ideal choice is to pair her with Lee, who she's already socially compatible with, assuming that Columbus has cubs this year.
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Qannik has not been socially paired with Lee, so I wouldn’t say they’re exactly compatible in that way.

I wonder if Kalluk could be considered for breeding recs as well, but wouldn’t be surprised given he is an older individual.
 
MeiLover said:
Qannik has not been socially paired with Lee, so I wouldn’t say they’re exactly compatible in that way.
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Interesting, I was under the impression they were housed together at Louisville. I stand corrected. Since Lee has already been at Louisville though, so is familiar with the staff and facilities, plus the fact Lee is proven, still make him the ideal choice for breeding with Qannik.
 
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