North American Polar Bear Population 2025

[Elephant Enthusiast]

The purpose of this thread is to publish the current population of polar bears in North America and to post about the population occurrences (transfers, births, deaths, etc.) in 2025.

The following post will publicize the current census of the North American polar bear population and summarize the occurrences since March 2021.

Spoiler: Overview

Spoiler: Transfers

1.0 Borealis was transferred from Henry Vilas Zoo and arrived at Louisville Zoo in February 2024.

Star Polar Bear Qannik Finally Gets Her “Bo!” (Media Release) | Louisville Zoo
Henry Vilas Zoo - We're gearing up for a BIG move next... | Facebook

1.0 Baffin and 1.0 Siku were transferred from Assiniboine Park Zoo and arrived at Calgary Zoo on October 16, 2023.

The Calgary Zoo - We have two BIG reasons to celebrate!... | Facebook
Polar bears arrive at Calgary Zoo | CityNews Calgary

0.1 Astra and 0.1 Laerke were transferred from Detroit Zoo and arrived at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on June 2, 2023.

Introducing Twin Polar Bear Cubs Astra & Laerke | Point Defiance Zoo

1.0 Humphrey was transferred from Toronto Zoo and arrived at Aquarium du Québec on May 16, 2023.

The Toronto Zoo - Bear Voyage Humphrey! | Facebook
Aquarium du Québec - Bienvenue Humphrey! | Facebook

1.0 Nuka was transferred from Toledo Zoo and arrived at Detroit Zoo on February 14, 2023.

Detroit Zoo | Facebook

1.0 Lee was transferred from Louisville Zoo and arrived at Columbus Zoo & Aquarium on February 9, 2023.

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

0.1 Kova was transferred from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, where she was rescued, and arrived at Alaska Zoo on November 30, 2022.

Orphaned Polar Bear Cub Brought to Alaska Zoo for its Welfare | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Alaska Zoo - Meet Kova the polar bear! | Facebook

0.1 Agee was transferred from Beyond Bear Inc. and arrived at Assiniboine Park Zoo on May 27, 2022.

Assiniboine Park Zoo | Facebook

1.0 Nuka was transferred from Detroit Zoo and arrived at Toledo Zoo on February 8, 2022.

Newest member of Toledo Zoo's Arctic Encounter exhibit is unveiled | The Blade

0.1 Neva was transferred from Maryland Zoo and arrived at Hogle Zoo on November 16, 2021.

Hogle Zoo welcomes new female polar bear | FOX 13 Salt Lake City

0.1 Amelia Gray was transferred from Maryland Zoo and arrived at Oregon Zoo on October 28, 2021.

Zoo welcomes young polar bear with a 'touch of gray' | Oregon Zoo

1.0 Kulu was transferred from Columbus Zoo & Aquarium and arrived at Como Park Zoo on October 7, 2021.

Como Welcomes Kulu the Polar Bear! - Como Zoo Conservatory
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | Facebook

Spoiler: Births

1.0 Kallu and 1.0 Kallik were born at Toledo Zoo on November 11, 2022. 0.1 Crystal (Toledo Zoo) is the dam and 1.0 Nuka (Detroit Zoo) is the sire.

Toledo Zoo - Polar Bear Cub Twins Announcement | Facebook
Toledo Zoo announces gender of polar bear cubs | The Blade
Toledo Zoo - Polar Bear Cubs Name Reveal | Facebook

Spoiler: Deaths

21-year-old 1.0 Inukshuk passed away on August 26, 2024, at Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat.

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat | Facebook

7-year-old 1.0 Baffin passed away on July 19, 2024, at Calgary Zoo.

Necropsy Confirms Polar Bear Death Was Tragic Accident During Rough Play - Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo
Polar bear death closes Wild Canada exhibit at Calgary Zoo | CBC News

19-year-old 1.0 Payton passed away on October 25, 2023, while enroute to Louisville Zoo from North Carolina Zoo.

North Carolina Zoo mourns the loss of polar bear Payton | North Carolina Zoo

26-year-old 1.0 Koluk passed away on May 26, 2023, at ABQ BioPark Zoo.

Beloved ABQ BioPark polar bear Koluk, passes away at 26 years old. — City of Albuquerque

25-year-old 0.1 Agata passed away on March 13, 2023, at Guadalajara Zoo.

Agata ♀ – † | Eisbären im Zoo - Polar Bears in Zoos
Adiós a Ágata: El Oso Polar del Zoológico de Guadalajara | TikTok

33-year-old 0.1 Berlin passed away on January 11, 2023, at Kansas City Zoo.

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

15-year-old 0.1 Anana passed away on October 12, 2022, at Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

9-year-old 0.1 Aurora passed away on June 21, 2022, at Assiniboine Park Zoo.

Media Release - Assiniboine Park Zoo Mourns Passing of Aurora the Polar Bear.pdf
Assiniboine Park & Zoo | Facebook

26-year-old 1.0 Blizzard passed away on May 8, 2022, at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

Remembering Blizzard - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

24-year-old 1.0 Marty passed away on November 4, 2021, at Toledo Zoo.

Toledo Zoo's Beloved Polar Bear Marty Dies Due To Kidney Disease - CBS Pittsburgh

36-year-old 0.1 Snow Lilly passed away on September 24, 2021, at Milwaukee County Zoo.

Milwaukee County Zoo | Facebook

21-year-old 1.0 Eddy passed away on June 1, 2021, at Aquarium du Québec.

Aquarium du Québec | Facebook

Currently, there are approximately 58 (27.31.0) polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in North America. Of the 58 polar bears in North America, 20 (11.9.0) reside at six facilities in Canada and 38 (16.22.0) reside at 21 facilities in the United States.

Spoiler: Population

Spoiler: Canada

Calgary Zoo - Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1.0 Siku (WILD × WILD) 2015.00.00
Total: 1 (1.0.0)

Assiniboine Park Zoo - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
0.1 Agee (Imarec × Mirsha) 1995.01.03
1.0 Storm (WILD × WILD) 2010.00.00
0.1 Kaska (WILD × WILD) 2012.00.00
0.1 Star (WILD × WILD) 2013.00.00
1.0 York (WILD × WILD) 2014.00.00
1.0 Nanuq (WILD × WILD) 2015.00.00
0.1 Willow (WILD × WILD) 2016.00.00
Total: 7 (3.4.0)

Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat - Cochrane, Ontario, Canada
1.0 Ganuk (Inukshuk × Aisaqvak) 2009.11.30
1.0 Henry (Nelson × Liya) 2013.05.09
Total: 2 (2.0.0)

Toronto Zoo - Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
0.1 Aurora (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
0.1 Nikita (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
1.0 Hudson (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2011.10.11
0.1 Juno (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2015.11.11
Total: 4 (1.3.0)

Aquarium du Québec - Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
1.0 Humphrey (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2013.11.09
1.0 Kinuk (Yelle × Aisaqvak) 2018.11.27
1.0 Shouka (Yelle × Milak) 2018.12.11
Total: 3 (3.0.0)

Saint-Félicien Zoo - Saint-Félicien, Quebec, Canada
0.1 Aisaqvak (WILD × WILD) 2002.00.00
1.0 Yelle (Victor × Huggies) 2005.11.26
0.1 Milak (Felix × Victoria) 2008.12.07
Total: 3 (1.2.0)

Spoiler: United States

Alaska Zoo - Anchorage, Alaska, United States
0.1 Cranbeary (Kavek × Voda) 2001.11.21
0.1 Kova (WILD × WILD) 2021.00.00
Total: 2 (0.2.0)

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

Brookfield Zoo - Brookfield, Illinois, United States
1.0 Hudson (Aussie × Arki) 2006.12.14
0.1 Hope (Marty × Crystal) 2015.12.03
Total: 2 (1.1.0)

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

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky, United States
0.1 Qannik (WILD × WILD) 2011.01.10
1.0 Borealis (Marty × Crystal) 2018.12.09
Total: 2 (1.1.0)

Detroit Zoo - Royal Oak, Michigan, United States
1.0 Nuka (Kavek × Voda) 2004.11.25
0.1 Suka (Marty × Crystal) 2012.11.21
Total: 2 (1.1.0)

Como Park Zoo - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
0.1 Nanuyaak (WILD × WILD) 1994.00.00
1.0 Neil (Irsinak × Skeena) 1995.12.09
1.0 Kulu (Lee × Aurora) 2019.11.28
Total: 3 (2.1.0)

Kansas City Zoo - Kansas City, Missouri, United States
1.0 Nuniq (Nanuq × Aurora) 2016.11.14
Total: 1 (1.0.0)

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

ABQ BioPark Zoo - Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
1.0 Kiska (Andy × Chinook) 1996.11.19
Total: 1 (1.0.0)

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

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

North Carolina Zoo - Asheboro, North Carolina, United States
0.1 Anana (Yukon × Aurora) 1999.11.27
Total: 1 (0.1.0)

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium - Powell, Ohio, United States
1.0 Lee (Yukon × Aurora) 1999.11.27
0.1 Aurora (Marty × Crystal) 2006.11.25
Total: 2 (1.1.0)

Toledo Zoo - Toledo, Ohio, United States
0.1 Crystal (Orca × Saskia) 1998.11.10
1.0 Kallik (Nuka × Crystal) 2022.11.11
1.0 Kallu (Nuka × Crystal) 2022.11.11
Total: 3 (2.1.0)

Oregon Zoo - Portland, Oregon, United States
0.1 Nora (Nanuq × Aurora) 2015.11.06
0.1 Amelia Gray (Nanuq × Anana) 2016.11.08
Total: 2 (0.2.0)

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
0.1 Snowflake (Herman II × Becky) 1995.11.28
Total: 1 (0.1.0)

Memphis Zoo - Memphis, Tennessee, United States
0.1 Haley (Yukon × Aurora) 2002.11.15
1.0 Koda (Kavek × Voda) 2004.11.25
Total: 2 (1.1.0)

Hogle Zoo - Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
1.0 Nikita (Marty × Nanuyaak) 2006.11.21
0.1 Neva (Nanuq × Aurora) 2016.11.14
Total: 2 (1.1.0)

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Tacoma, Washington, United States
0.1 Astra (Nuka × Suka) 2020.11.17
0.1 Laerke (Nuka × Suka) 2020.11.17
Total: 2 (0.2.0)

Henry Vilas Zoo - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
0.1 Berit (Olaf × Ulu) 1998.12.28
Total: 1 (1.0.0)

 

[USZOOfan42]

Hopefully a Detroit or Columbus cub, any day now!

 

[MeiLover]

According to photos I saw posted yesterday from a docent/volunteer photographer friend, Suka at Detroit Zoo is back on exhibit and out of her den, so no cubs for her this year.

 

[wild boar]

Isn't @MidwestFan running this thread? Or is that changing?

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Isn't @MidwestFan running this thread? Or is that changing?

Well here's the thing, @Elephant Enthusiast was the one who the original thread, but they had been gone from the forum for almost three years since, so in my mind @MidwestFan had the right to become the OP during those years because of that. Now that they have returned, I would say that it is completely okay for EE to take back thread ownership, as they were the one running the threads for Polar Bears prior to their long absence from the forum.
North American Polar Bear Population

 

[MeiLover]

Aurora at Columbus Zoo also has not given birth:

Log in to Facebook

 

[USZOOfan42]

The most likely females have not given birth, hopefully we at least get one cub!

 

[MidwestFan]

Isn't @MidwestFan running this thread? Or is that changing?

I didn't know it was changing - but looks like it updated.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Disappointing news, Neva has also come out of the den as mentioned by @zoocentral in Hogle Zoo News thread.

 

[Jonathan Petersson]

Some positive news at least with all the disappointing announcements recently Borealis and Qannik have been introduced to one another at Louisville so maybe next year things will be looking a little better for the population.

LouisvilleZoo on Instagram: "Beary big news!‍ Male polar bear, Borealis (nicknamed "Bo,") arrived at the Louisville Zoo last year as a recommended breeding partner for our rescued female bear, Qannik. We are excited to announce you may see the pair “chilling” together in the same habitat on your next Zoo visit! The bears are in the early stages of courtship so they may not always be together while getting to know each other. Stay tuned for updates on their progress! Learn more at link in bio. Kyle Shepherd and Callie Wells"

 

[turkeyfox]

Yet another year without cubs makes it seem like the AZA polar bear population is in pretty bad shape.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Disappointing news, Neva has also come out of the den as mentioned by @zoocentral in Hogle Zoo News thread.

Unfortunately, the Hogle zoo has confirmed via Facebook that Neva has not and will not give birth this season.
1.9K views · 109 reactions | Checking in on the bear-y latest – female polar bear Neva emerged from her den! Neva exiting her den means she did not have cubs this season. Through... | By Utah's Hogle Zoo | Facebook
They do have plans to introduce her to Nikita next breeding season though, so let's hope for cubs then.

 

[USZOOfan42]

Crazy two years in a row without cubs. Hopefully next year we see cubs!

 

[MeiLover]

Crazy two years in a row without cubs. Hopefully next year we see cubs!

It’s not that surprising given how difficult they are to breed.

 

[EagleScout610]

Kali (1.0) from St. Louis is now in Toledo on a breeding recommendation with Crystal. Kallik and Kallu, Crystal's cubs, are moving to St. Louis.

Source - Toledo Zoo Facebook

 

[turkeyfox]

Kali (1.0) from St. Louis is now in Toledo on a breeding recommendation with Crystal. Kallik and Kallu, Crystal's cubs, are moving to St. Louis.

Source - Toledo Zoo Facebook

Is 26 not an old age to breed a female polar bear?

 

[HawkAlot]

Is 26 not an old age to breed a female polar bear?

Not if she's been readily reproducing for many years and is in good health.

 

[zoologicus]

Kali (1.0) from St. Louis is now in Toledo on a breeding recommendation with Crystal. Kallik and Kallu, Crystal's cubs, are moving to St. Louis.

Source - Toledo Zoo Facebook

Taking a risk on proving a new sire out always makes me nervous, especially in a population like this that has historically & statistically never been self-sustaining in its entire history, but Crystal is the perfect candidate for it. Hopefully this means we can have a new successful founder in the population.

 

[PossumRoach]

Is 26 not an old age to breed a female polar bear?

I want to ask a similar question but for a male past the age ten who never bred before.

 

[HawkAlot]

I really do hope we see more of these types of moves in coming years - putting unrepresented/unproven males to well proven females. And the other way around with females who've never been on birth control being put to reliable males.

While I don't mind the trying, I somewhat wish the SSP would "give up" on bears who are very clearly never going to produce cubs at this point (ex. Haley, Talini, Anana, Cranbeary) and instead have males in those pairs (particularly those from underrepresented lines such as Koda) be with females who they have a much higher chance to sire offspring with. I'd much rather see it be Haley x Hudson for example, and have Koda with Amelia Grey, Neva, Hope, Qannik... you get the idea.

Would also love to see facilities that can hold more than one female do so. At Columbus for example, I'd obviously love for them to keep trying with Lee and Aurora, but I don't really see why another female with potential couldn't be there as well given that Lee is proven and underrepresented. I know there aren't a million bears to go around, but I don't love that bears such as Amelia Grey are sitting in non-breeding situations as companions while they could be utilized more.

But anyhow... just my 2 cents! Lol