North American Polar Bear Population 2024

Hyak_II said:
Also get real about the whole cost/hassle thing. Barring permitting, in terms of logistics and cost, moving a polar bear is no more difficult than moving a tiger, lion, or other large, strong animal. Insinuating it is otherwise impractically prohibitive to do so is just plain ignorant.
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I never said it was more difficult to move a polar bear than move a tiger or lion, only that it is more difficult to import a polar bear. The fact it is more logistically difficult and more costly is precisely because polar bears, under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, have substantially more regulations and legal retirements than the other species. Under these laws, I do not know whether importing a polar bear would even be possible (I suspect that if it was possible, then there would've already been movement over the border). Any imports take time and money to happen, and it's just so much more difficult when talking about a species that has a lot of regulations around them.

Hyak_II said:
Yes.it would be *absolutely* beneficial to the US population to acquire Canadian bears. Founder representation the state is disgustingly skewed while being limited to begin with, and there are very few breeding age animals. Even the import of one or two new animals could prove incredibly useful to the population.
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I'm not disagreeing that it could be beneficial, as gene flow almost always is. However, it would only be possible to import one or two animals, meaning the potential impact isn't as great as a large-scale import would be, and it's debatable whether the costs, timescale, and logistics needed make it worth it if the only thing possible would be importing one or two individuals. If they're going to go through the effort of a one-time import, I'd much rather see an import from Europe where more individuals (and a greater overall impact) would be possible.
 
Neil chace said:
Yes, but under the law federal agencies often have a lot of leeway over the regulations and stipulations in the permits they grant. In this case, the USFWS changed the permits issued to the zoos with wild-caught polar bears, the law these permits were granted under (Marine Mammal Protection Act) did not change, and never had a requirement that they could not breed.
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Leaves me a bit flabbergasted, ... I am yet of the most profound conviction that a breeding ban for polar bears in captivity is, was and always will be a no brainer (it will not conserve polar bears in situ nor allow assurance colonies be built in captivity ... What it has done for years is waste the genetic potential and individual validity of every polar bear ever taken into captivity under the USFW laws and not allowed to exhibit their natural repertoire in reproduction - a form of social enhancement for the individuals concerned and beneficial to overall health both mental and physical of adult polar bears.
 
1.0 Borealis at Henry Vilas will be transferred to another AZA zoo next month on a breeding recommendation. Berit will likely be joined by another bear at Henry Vilas by the end of this year.

Henry Vilas Zoo on Instagram: "We're gearing up for a BIG move next month! Borealis, or "Bo", is heading to another AZA-accredited zoo on a breeding recommendation. We do not have an exact departure date because moving a polar bear takes a lot of coordination and Wisconsin winter weather doesn't always cooperate, but our goal is to move Bo by mid-February to coincide with the polar bear breeding season, which is just beginning. Bo arrived at Henry Vilas Zoo in late 2020 just shy of his second birthday and weighing in at just over 600 pounds. Now five years old and 1,000 pounds, Bo is just now reaching sexual maturity. Breeding recommendations help keep populations healthy and stable. There are currently fewer than 50 polar bears in zoos in the U.S. due in part to the strict animal care standards that have to be met, so this move is especially important. Polar bear populations in the wild are declining as arctic ice shelves shrink and they have fewer places to hunt. Bo has been an amazing ambassador for his species. Hundreds of thousands of people have visited Bo over the last four years. Bo loves to interact with all sorts of enrichment, from tossing a giant plastic pickle around his yard, to throwing his barrels into the pool, he has delighted guests with his playful antics. Our female polar bear, Berit, is an excellent companion for young bears. She never had cubs, but she is very patient with younger bears and teaches them appropriate bear behavior. We are working closely with AZA and hope to have another bear join Berit by the end of this year. Bo is loved by all of our staff and we will miss him greatly. We are proud to have been a part in his upbringing and know he will thrive in his new environment."
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IndianRhino said:
1.0 Borealis at Henry Vilas will be transferred to another AZA zoo next month on a breeding recommendation. Berit will likely be joined by another bear at Henry Vilas by the end of this year.
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My top predictions for where Bo may end up:
1) Louisville to breed with Qannik
2) Oregon Zoo to breed with Amelia Gray and/or Nora (they are related though)
3) Buffalo Zoo to breed with Luna if the move Sakari somewhere else (LxS have not had luck the past few years).

Another prediction I have is one of Crystal male cubs from the Toledo Zoo will move to be Berit's companion at the end of the year.
 
IndianRhino said:
1.0 Borealis at Henry Vilas will be transferred to another AZA zoo next month on a breeding recommendation. Berit will likely be joined by another bear at Henry Vilas by the end of this year.
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I personally think that by FAR the best and most realistic option is moving him to Louisville as a mate for Qannik. I do see Oregon and maybe even Alaska as up-in-the-air possibilities too, but Louisville is definitely the most realistic option for him.
 
blospz said:
My top predictions for where Bo may end up:
1) Louisville to breed with Qannik
2) Oregon Zoo to breed with Amelia Gray and/or Nora (they are related though)
3) Buffalo Zoo to breed with Luna if the move Sakari somewhere else (LxS have not had luck the past few years).

Another prediction I have is one of Crystal male cubs from the Toledo Zoo will move to be Berit's companion at the end of the year.
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A new male is unlikely to help Buffalo Zoo get cubs, as compatibility between Sakari and Luna is not the issue. The main issue is behavioral for Luna, with her behaving atypically as a result of being hand-raised. Sakari is an excellent bear, and I have no doubts he'd be a successful breeder elsewhere if that was a priority, but I'd be concerned with how Luna responds to an unfamiliar male.

Nile Hippo Expert said:
I personally think that by FAR the best and most realistic option is moving him to Louisville as a mate for Qannik. I do see Oregon and maybe even Alaska as up-in-the-air possibilities too, but Louisville is definitely the most realistic option for him.
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Louisville was the first thing that came to mind for me too, however I wouldn't discount the possibility that the program leaders would rather place either a non-Marty x Crystal descendant and/or a proven male with a female that's a potential founder, so I wouldn't say it is "by FAR" the best option for Bo. I doubt Alaska has any needs for a male bear for a few years when their younger female is older, and them not being AZA may complicate matters. Does Oregon even have the facilities in place to breed polar bears? I don't know if they do, but I'm pretty sure there are at least five or six facilities more likely to house a breeding pair before Oregon would.
 
I'm hoping Bo isn't moving to Louisville, but I'd rather that than a reccomendation for him to breed with another bear that's closely related.

There are two possibilities I haven't seen mentioned, which could be simultaneous:
1. one of the females that has been in a breeding situation with a different male will now be recommended to breed with Bo, such as Neva, Hope, or maybe Talini
2. Bo moves to a facility like in Kansas City, North Carolina, Seneca Park or maybe Saint Louis, with their single bear moving elsewhere and a female joining Bo

As for which bear might join Berit, Kova or one of the two Toledo cubs seem like the most likely options, if she does end up getting a new 'stepchild.'

Neil chace said:
Sakari is an excellent bear, and I have no doubts he'd be a successful breeder elsewhere
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What makes you say that? Favoritism? :p

Neil chace said:
I'm pretty sure there are at least five or six facilities more likely to house a breeding pair before Oregon would.
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I don't disagree, but what facilities do you have in mind?
 
wild boar said:
What makes you say that? Favoritism? :p
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Mostly behavior and personality. He has all the right behavioral characteristics to be an ideal breeding individual. However, given the fact he's a Marty x Crystal offspring, he isn't genetically valuable enough to warrant prioritizing him breeding.

wild boar said:
I don't disagree, but what facilities do you have in mind?
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Kansas City, Henry Vilas, Seneca Park, North Carolina, Louisville, and possibly San Diego, Como Park, and Saint Louis (although the former two of course currently have geriatric animals as well).
 
US:
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 (1.1)
Qannik F (WILD x WILD) b. 2011.01.10
Borealis M (Marty x Crystal) b. 2018.12.09

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 (0.1)
Berit F (Olaf x Ulu) b. 1998.12.28

Total US Population (38)
16.22


Ex-US:
Canada:

Calgary Zoo - Calgary, AB (1.0)
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 Aurora) 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. 2015.11.11
Nikita F (WILD x WILD) b. 2000 (est)
Hudson M (Inukshuk x Aurora) b. 2010.10.11

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

Total Canadian Population (21)
14.7

Mexico:

Guadalajara Zoo – Guadalajara, MX (0.1)
Agata F (? x ?) b. 1997.11.23

Total Mexican Population (1)
0.1
 
It's polar bear denning season now so I thought I would ask which pairs people think are most likely to be successful. It has been confirmed by other members on this site that Suka, Aurora, and Neva are denning, and I would assume most of the other females in breeding pairs are as well.

Would it be fair to say that while Suka didn't have any cubs last year, she is probably the most likely of the eight females in a breeding situation to have cubs? She and Aurora have both produced cubs with the males they are paired with now, but they were both unsuccessful last year and Suka last gave birth more recently than Aurora.

Qannik in Louisville is a founder that was only first paired for breeding this year thanks to U.S. Senator Rand Paul, but as she was only first recommended to breed this year, she is unproven. Borealis, the male she is paired with, is also unproven, but he has never been paired before either. With all of that in mind, I would say she is third most likely to give birth this year. Does that seem like an accurate assessment to everyone?

The other five breeding pairs at:
  1. Brookfield Zoo Chicago
  2. Utah's Hogle Zoo
  3. Memphis Zoo
  4. Lincoln Park Zoo
  5. Buffalo Zoo
have each been together at least a few years with no success, so I'm not holding my breath for cubs there. That said, I hope to be pleasantly surprised.
 
wild boar said:
It's polar bear denning season now so I thought I would ask which pairs people think are most likely to be successful. It has been confirmed by other members on this site that Suka, Aurora, and Neva are denning, and I would assume most of the other females in breeding pairs are as well.

Would it be fair to say that while Suka didn't have any cubs last year, she is probably the most likely of the eight females in a breeding situation to have cubs? She and Aurora have both produced cubs with the males they are paired with now, but they were both unsuccessful last year and Suka last gave birth more recently than Aurora.

Qannik in Louisville is a founder that was only first paired for breeding this year thanks to U.S. Senator Rand Paul, but as she was only first recommended to breed this year, she is unproven. Borealis, the male she is paired with, is also unproven, but he has never been paired before either. With all of that in mind, I would say she is third most likely to give birth this year. Does that seem like an accurate assessment to everyone?

The other five breeding pairs at:
  1. Brookfield Zoo Chicago
  2. Utah's Hogle Zoo
  3. Memphis Zoo
  4. Lincoln Park Zoo
  5. Buffalo Zoo
have each been together at least a few years with no success, so I'm not holding my breath for cubs there. That said, I hope to be pleasantly surprised.
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I’d definitely expect to see cubs this year and agree Columbus and Detroit are most likely, but with both zoos breeding success I do find it possible that they both get cubs. Just got to play the waiting game now…
 
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