This looks promising. I know I'm a broken record on this, but I really hope there's enough bears to go around with all these new exhibits opening. I almost wish Sea World San Diego would get rid of their polar bears and let them go to one of these zoos. But perhaps they will have offspring this year and they can move on.
This looks promising. I know I'm a broken record on this, but I really hope there's enough bears to go around with all these new exhibits opening. I almost wish Sea World San Diego would get rid of their polar bears and let them go to one of these zoos. But perhaps they will have offspring this year and they can move on.
I fully agree with you and there are even 2 zoos (SeaWorld Orlando and Central Park) with empty polar bear exhibits. North Carolina just spent $8.5 million on renovating and expanding their existing exhibit but there is only the single bear "Patches" at that zoo. With Buffalo, Henry Vilas and Saint Louis all opening polar bear complexes in the next year, I have no idea how these zoos will be able to sustain the captive population in the United States. Eventually Canada will have to allow orphaned cubs to go below the border or there will be many zoos with grizzlies instead of polar bears.
I fully agree with you and there are even 2 zoos (SeaWorld Orlando and Central Park) with empty polar bear exhibits. North Carolina just spent $8.5 million on renovating and expanding their existing exhibit but there is only the single bear "Patches" at that zoo. With Buffalo, Henry Vilas and Saint Louis all opening polar bear complexes in the next year, I have no idea how these zoos will be able to sustain the captive population in the United States. Eventually Canada will have to allow orphaned cubs to go below the border or there will be many zoos with grizzlies instead of polar bears.
The demographics of the American zoo polar bear population is pretty dire overall isn't it? The polar bears at the San Francisco and Hogle Zoos and Sea World San Diego are all elderly animals also.
The demographics of the American zoo polar bear population is pretty dire overall isn't it? The polar bears at the San Francisco and Hogle Zoos and Sea World San Diego are all elderly animals also.
The demographics of the American zoo polar bear population is pretty dire overall isn't it? The polar bears at the San Francisco and Hogle Zoos and Sea World San Diego are all elderly animals also.
I believe that Oregon Zoo still has 2 polar bears and even though the facility has plans for a new exhibit it seems pointless as the bears are elderly and I'm not sure how the zoo could obtain new ones. Point Defiance also has a trio of polar bears that are rapidly aging and as I said before unless wildlife laws radically change then polar bears will eventually be extinct in American zoos. There are many other zoos with 1 or 2 bears but the only U.S. zoo with repeated success at breeding has perhaps been Toledo.
I believe that Oregon Zoo still has 2 polar bears and even though the facility has plans for a new exhibit it seems pointless as the bears are elderly and I'm not sure how the zoo could obtain new ones. Point Defiance also has a trio of polar bears that are rapidly aging and as I said before unless wildlife laws radically change then polar bears will eventually be extinct in American zoos. There are many other zoos with 1 or 2 bears but the only U.S. zoo with repeated success at breeding has perhaps been Toledo.
Yes, I believe the Oregon Zoo was the last to get on board with revamping a polar bear exhibit. I think they should hold off for a couple years, see if the polar bear population increases at all before investing into it. North Carolina will be fortunate soon with two polar bears, but once Lincoln Park Zoo completes their exhibit, there will be one bear in North Carolina and one in Lincoln Park. I guess they get a lot of room to roam! I almost wish Henry Vilas didn't go through with it either. With Kali slotted for Saint Louis, I could picture Toledo's juvenile female going there and the juvenile male could go to Buffalo to eventually mate with Luna or Anana. I heard one of the twins or both will go to Henry Vilas after the exhibit is completed. Here's hoping it's the year of healthy cubs!
For anyone interested, here are this year's breeding pairs and my predictions:
Alaska Zoo: Recommended to breed now, but may have side effects from birth control.
Brookfield Zoo: Anana and Hudson mated. The zoo will let Anana den up in the fall.
Cincinnati Zoo: This pair seems compatible and I think I read a SSP recommedation that they were going to try to A.I. Berit with Hudson (Brookfield)'s sperm.
Columbus Zoo: Mated - I have high hopes.
Detroit Zoo: May have mated.
Denver Zoo: May have mated.
Kansas City: Most likely mated.
Memphis Zoo: May have mated.
Pittsburgh Zoo: Male mated with female and the two SD Sea World females. Here's hoping!
Maryland Zoo: May have mated. I'm not counting on it, but it would be wonderful for a local like me.
Sea World San Diego: Bred with Koda. Sjenza was supposed to pregnant last year.
Seneca Park Zoo: Was recommended at least. I'm not optimistic.
Toledo Zoo: Nan and Marty bred. Most likely pair in my eyes!
Side note, San Diego took a break from mating this year to do some research on their bears.
