North American Polar Bear Population 2025

[blospz]

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.

I wouldn't call Hudson and Koda better options. Both males have had the opportunity to breed with a few females, but no cubs have ever resulted from it. Koda, however, would not have genes related to her.

@JVM , I believe Talini was on a contraception earlier in her life and it's assumed it may have made her sterile.

 

[JVM]

@JVM , I believe Talini was on a contraception earlier in her life and it's assumed it may have made her sterile.

Thank you. I thought it was said somewhere this issue didn't affect the current population.

 

[MidwestFan]

Thank you. I thought it was said somewhere this issue didn't affect the current population.

Many of the older female bears are still impacted, such as the San Diego 0.2. No one knew the long term effects at the time, but it really hurt the sustainability of the US captive population.

 

[JVM]

Many of the older female bears are still impacted, such as the San Diego 0.2. No one knew the long term effects at the time, but it really hurt the sustainability of the US captive population.

I see. The director of the Saint Louis Zoo brought it up a few years back and I tried looking for more information and it didn't seem like any was available outside his remarks. Interesting to know San Diego's bears and Talini were affected.

 

[Polar bear fan]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe a major part of Talini’s issues are physiological issues that prevented pregnancy aside from potential birth control side effects. As far as I’m aware she’s never been on birth control, as I believe she’s been paired with males for breeding ever since she was four years old. First Lee, then Aquila, then Nuka, then Siku. She lived with Neil and Buzz before, but they were both long since neutered.

 

[wild boar]

I had previously heard Talini was considered non-breeding

She was moved to Lincoln Park with the express hope that she and Siku would reproduce. I do not know if she was since declared a non-breeding animal.

 

[MeiLover]

She was moved to Toledo with the express hope that she and Siku would reproduce. I do not know if she was since declared a non-breeding animal.

Talini has never lived at Toledo Zoo. I’m assuming you’re talking about Lincoln Park Zoo.

 

[wild boar]

I’m assuming you’re talking about Lincoln Park Zoo.

I was, yes.

 

[wild boar]

I'd argue the opposite - Louisville should devote the whole of Glacier Run to polar bears and move the grizzlies to Kentucky Trails, Memphis should focus on just polar and grizzly bears, North Carolina's a wonderful facility that prioritizes animal choice above all (Anana can go in her indoor den, her ice cave, out in the meadow or in her chilled saltwater pool), and Saint Louis is a good optimized space for bears. Henry Vilas made the decision to go all in on polar bears, which I ultimately support if it means more success with cubs.

Memphis should definitely not continue with polar bears. There are other zoos that clearly have better facilities or have been more successful with them. I don’t really see a reason for Saint Louis and North Carolina to hold polar bears in the longterm, either.

 

[Ebirah766]

I would love if NC could continue keeping polar bears. Their exhibit is so well-designed, it'd be a shame if they couldn't keep them anymore.

 

[HawkAlot]

Keep in mind - a lot of these zoos haven't had success due to the females in question being on birth control at one point/having reproductive issues. Given more promising bears, I don't think they'd really have an issue.

Not to mention - St Louis hasn't had a female in the time since they opened their new facility.

 

[snowleopard]

Edmonton Valley Zoo has revealed an extensive, 15-year Master Plan that includes a Coastal Arctic area which will have Polar Bears. Another North American holder is exciting news.