North American Polar Bear Population 2025

wild boar said:
I'm a little disappointed about this. Astra and Kulu are cousins, and there are other, unrelated bears that each could have been paired with.
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With such a small population and in such a bad state being first cousins isn’t *that* bad. If I recall correctly there were some uncle/niece pairings either suggested or were actually the case in past years’ polar bear threads. Other species breeding programs have had to do much worse.
 
turkeyfox said:
With such a small population and in such a bad state being first cousins isn’t *that* bad. If I recall correctly there were some uncle/niece pairings either suggested or were actually the case in past years’ polar bear threads. Other species breeding programs have had to do much worse.
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There are a few bears in the population that Astra could have been paired with who are unrelated to her, such as Koda. I think Lee is also unrelated.

I had hoped Kova would move to Saint Paul to be with Kulu, as the two are (obviously) unrelated and as she is approaching breeding age.
 
wild boar said:
There are a few bears in the population that Astra could have been paired with who are unrelated to her, such as Koda. I think Lee is also unrelated.

I had hoped Kova would move to Saint Paul to be with Kulu, as the two are (obviously) unrelated and as she is approaching breeding age.
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Honestly as far as Astra is concerned, the only unrelated options were Lee and Kali, however evidently there are other plans for those boys, so she’s set to breed with lee’s only son instead. Hopefully Kova gets a mate soon though. I doubt Alaska are looking to give her up given cranbeary’s age, so I think it’s most likely a male will go to Alaska, only time will tell though.
 
Polar bear fan said:
Honestly as far as Astra is concerned, the only unrelated options were Lee and Kali, however evidently there are other plans for those boys, so she’s set to breed with lee’s only son instead. Hopefully Kova gets a mate soon though. I doubt Alaska are looking to give her up given cranbeary’s age, so I think it’s most likely a male will go to Alaska, only time will tell though.
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Oh yeah, that's right. I forgot that Koda was Astra's paternal uncle.
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
Having four adult polar bears at a zoo in the United States is extremely rare is what I've noticed.
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And Como of all zoos :rolleyes:
You'd expect a zoo like Columbus, Detroit or even North Carolina to have those numbers; but it seems each zoo is given less than they should have. If I recall correctly, Arctic Ring of life used to hold 8 bears at one point, and their previous grotto had 16! I am guessing that the SSP is looking to almost "merge" this population to have the best chances of breeding. I had a feeling something like this would happen one day, and I don't think it's a terrible idea to house at least 3-4 bears (in exhibits that could hold that many of course) in zoos for the best chances of breeding.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
And Como of all zoos :rolleyes:
You'd expect a zoo like Columbus, Detroit or even North Carolina to have those numbers; but it seems each zoo is given less than they should have. If I recall correctly, Arctic Ring of life used to hold 8 bears at one point, and their previous grotto had 16! I am guessing that the SSP is looking to almost "merge" this population to have the best chances of breeding. I had a feeling something like this would happen one day, and I don't think it's a terrible idea to house at least 3-4 bears (in exhibits that could hold that many of course) in zoos for the best chances of breeding.
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Keep in mind that the studbook manager is located at the Como Park Zoo. I do wonder if Astra's arrival spells the end of the unusual bond that Neil, Nan, and Kulu all had together.
 
wild boar said:
Keep in mind that the studbook manager is located at the Como Park Zoo. I do wonder if Astra's arrival spells the end of the unusual bond that Neil, Nan, and Kulu all had together.
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I'm unfamiliar with Como Park having only visited once, in the summer of 2023. I'm assuming these are the same three bears that were there at that time. I remember finding it rather alarming that three bears were all in one exhibit together at the same time and the largest one looked so much larger than the smallest one. If he (I'm assuming it's a he) wanted to do some damage he definitely could but I'm glad to hear he apparently wouldn't want to.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
I am guessing that the SSP is looking to almost "merge" this population to have the best chances of breeding. I had a feeling something like this would happen one day, and I don't think it's a terrible idea to house at least 3-4 bears (in exhibits that could hold that many of course) in zoos for the best chances of breeding.
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I think this is exactly what they're trying to do. Perhaps they hope giving the bears more a sense of choice and competition might help stimulate breeding more than being paired off.
 
 
Detroit zoo is at risk of losing their breeding lisemce for polar bears… hopefully they have cubs this year…
“‘This is incredibly, incredibly significant for our zoo in particular, because we have two breeding licenses coming up in January that will expire, one for polar bears and one for lions,’ Hanlin said. ‘So if we are not able to see this amendment through, then we would not be able to breed those animals beyond the time that those permits exist.’”

https://michiganadvance.com/2025/10...nt-as-citations-hamper-zoo-breeding-programs/
 

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Polar bear fan said:
Detroit zoo is at risk of losing their breeding lisemce for polar bears… hopefully they have cubs this year…
“‘This is incredibly, incredibly significant for our zoo in particular, because we have two breeding licenses coming up in January that will expire, one for polar bears and one for lions,’ Hanlin said. ‘So if we are not able to see this amendment through, then we would not be able to breed those animals beyond the time that those permits exist.’”

https://michiganadvance.com/2025/10...nt-as-citations-hamper-zoo-breeding-programs/
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Nota bene:

However, Rep. Matthew Bierlein’s (R-Vassar) House Bill 5092 would amend state law to clarify that a zoo remains eligible for a breeding license so long as its exhibitor’s license from the USDA has been in good standing for the previous five years, McIntyre explained, meaning the license has not been suspended or revoked and the license holder has not been subject to any cease and desist orders.

The update would also bring the state into alignment with federal policy eliminating “teachable moments” where certain issues that might not have previously triggered citations now do so, McIntyre said.

“House Bill 5092 strengthens both animal welfare and conservation leadership. It keeps the original intent of a large carnivore act intact, protecting the public and stopping irresponsible ownership, while also removing unintended barriers for institutions that follow the law,” McIntyre said.

The 13 committee members in attendance voted unanimously to refer the bill to the House floor for further consideration.
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
1.0 Siku will soon move from Lincoln Park Zoo to Henry Vilas Zoo on a breeding recommendation with Nora, who recently arrived there from Oregon.
Lincoln Park Zoo on Instagram: "Lincoln Park Zoo will soon say farewell to Siku. In the coming weeks, this 15-year-old bear will journey to @henryvilaszoo for a breeding recommendation. This transfer is part of a nationwide polar bear conservation initiative to maintain a sustainable, genetically diverse population of this threatened species. Resident female polar bear Talini will stay here at Lincoln Park Zoo receiving specialized geriatric care throughout her sunset years. Since his arrival in Chicago in 2016, Siku has charmed staff and visitors alike with his playful nature. Stop by to see him before he heads off on his next big adventure!"
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This is baffling to me. Of all the males Nora could be paired with, Siku is one of the worst candidates. Lee, Hudson, Nuka, and particularly Koda were all better options.

EDIT: Perhaps it was determined that Siku was the best male to be paired with Nora because of his temperament and her medical issues?
 
wild boar said:
This is baffling to me. Of all the males Nora could be paired with, Siku is one of the worst candidates. Lee, Hudson, Nuka, and particularly Koda were all better options.

EDIT: Perhaps it was determined that Siku was the best male to be paired with Nora because of his temperament and her medical issues?
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my best guess is that there must be plans for Koda that are bigger and better than one breeding female. I’m hoping he’s maybe moving to Brookfield to help eliminate that issue… but yeah I think we’re all disappointed with these last three new pairings.
 
Polar bear fan said:
Detroit zoo is at risk of losing their breeding lisemce for polar bears… hopefully they have cubs this year…
“‘This is incredibly, incredibly significant for our zoo in particular, because we have two breeding licenses coming up in January that will expire, one for polar bears and one for lions,’ Hanlin said. ‘So if we are not able to see this amendment through, then we would not be able to breed those animals beyond the time that those permits exist.’”

https://michiganadvance.com/2025/10...nt-as-citations-hamper-zoo-breeding-programs/
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Really a stupid concept. Detroit has the largest polar bear habitat in the US; and they can’t breed their bears? (Not to mention the new lion male, and tiger pair, and John ball’s future snow/amur leopard plans)
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
1.0 Siku will soon move from Lincoln Park Zoo to Henry Vilas Zoo on a breeding recommendation with Nora, who recently arrived there from Oregon.
Lincoln Park Zoo on Instagram: "Lincoln Park Zoo will soon say farewell to Siku. In the coming weeks, this 15-year-old bear will journey to @henryvilaszoo for a breeding recommendation. This transfer is part of a nationwide polar bear conservation initiative to maintain a sustainable, genetically diverse population of this threatened species. Resident female polar bear Talini will stay here at Lincoln Park Zoo receiving specialized geriatric care throughout her sunset years. Since his arrival in Chicago in 2016, Siku has charmed staff and visitors alike with his playful nature. Stop by to see him before he heads off on his next big adventure!"
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The decision to retire Talini from breeding efforts, while understandable, is nevertheless saddening. Her genetics made her very valuable to the breeding program, but it seems that clear that she never would have had cubs regardless.

I've wondered before if Nikita will ever have better breeding opportunities, too. I know he has been paired with a few different females over the years, but I certainly hope they don't give up on breeding him. As Nan's only offspring, he is also pretty valuable, even though his sire is extremely well represented.
 
wild boar said:
The decision to retire Talini from breeding efforts, while understandable, is nevertheless saddening. Her genetics made her very valuable to the breeding program, but it seems that clear that she never would have had cubs regardless.
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I had previously heard Talini was considered non-breeding, do you know what the story is with her?

It's a shame to see Lincoln Park go down to one bear (they specified in a follow-up comment there are no plans to acquire another bear after Siku leaves) but if Siku is able to breed at Henry Vilas it's the right decision.

wild boar said:
I've wondered before if Nikita will ever have better breeding opportunities, too. I know he has been paired with a few different females over the years, but I certainly hope they don't give up on breeding him. As Nan's only offspring, he is also pretty valuable, even though his sire is extremely well represented.
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Hopeful!

Honestly what's frustrating is it seems like there are a lot of valuable bears and a lot of attempted pairings but after a ton of investment, it feels as if breeding has gone worse (in terms of number of zoos successful at producing cubs) instead of better.
 
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