North American Polar Bear Population 2021

Thank you for updating the thread with the most current census of the U.S. population, @MidwestFan.

It’s been a few months since the census of the North American population was updated and an overview of the occurrences was published so the following post will publicize the current census and summarize the recent occurrences.

There have been thirteen transfers, one birth, and five deaths since January 2020.

0.1 Anana was transferred from the Cincinnati Zoo to the Detroit Zoo on January __, 2020.

New Polar Bear Makes Her Debut at the Detroit Zoo - Detroit Zoo

1.0 Eddy was transferred from the Canadian Polar Bear Habitat to the Aquarium du Québec on September __, 2020.

Aquarium du Québec | Facebook

1.0 Nuniq was transferred from the Henry Vilas Zoo to the Kansas City Zoo on October __, 2020.

Former Madison polar bear Nuniq makes public debut in Kansas City | WISC-TV

1.0 Borealis was transferred from the Toledo Zoo to the Henry Vilas Zoo on November __, 2020.

Henry Vilas Zoo | Facebook

1.0 Kinuk was transferred from the Saint Félicien Zoo to the Aquarium du Québec on November __, 2020.

Saint-Félicien Zoo | Facebook

1.0 Lee was transferred from the Columbus Zoo to the Louisville Zoo on November __, 2020.

Louisville Zoo Welcomes New Male Polar Bear | Louisville Zoo

1.0 Payton was transferred from the Memphis Zoo to the North Carolina Zoo on January 22, 2021.

Payton's New Place - North Carolina Zoo Welcomes New Polar Bear | North Carolina Zoo

1.0 Koda was transferred from the Pittsburgh Zoo to the Memphis Zoo on January __, 2021.

Memphis Zoo Welcomes New Male Polar Bear For New Breeding Opportunities | Memphis Zoo

0.1 Hope was transferred from the Hogle Zoo to the Brookfield Zoo on January 29, 2021.

Hogle Zoo’s polar bear Hope finds new home at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo | Gephardt Daily

0.1 Nanuyaak was transferred from the Brookfield Zoo to the Como Park Zoo on January __, 2021.

Como Welcomes Nan the Polar Bear! - Como Zoo Conservatory

1.0 Shouka was transferred from the Saint Félicien Zoo to the Aquarium du Québec on February __, 2021.

Aquarium du Québec | Facebook

0.1 Nora was transferred from the Hogle Zoo to the Oregon Zoo on March 9, 2021.

Nora's back! Beloved polar bear returns to Oregon Zoo | Oregon Zoo

1.0 Nikita was transferred from the North Carolina Zoo to the Hogle Zoo on March __, 2021.

Polar bear 'Nora' returns to Oregon after more than three years at Hogle Zoo | Fox 13 News
0.1 Suka gave birth to a female cub and an undetermined gender cub on November 17, 2020, at the Detroit Zoo. 1.0 Nuka, at the Detroit Zoo, is the sire.

Two Polar Bear Cubs Born at the Detroit Zoo - Detroit Zoo
10-year-old 0.1 Taiga passed away on January 21, 2020, at the Canadian Polar Bear Habitat.

Sudden death at Cochrane's Polar Bear Habitat | CTV News

24-year-old 1.0 Buzz passed away on July __, 2020, at the Como Park Zoo.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | Facebook
Como Park Zoo says 'proud ambassador of conservation' Buzz the polar bear has died - StarTribune
Como Zoo welcomes Nan, a platonic friend for polar bear Neil after his twin brother’s death – Twin Cities

34-year-old 1.0 Boris passed away on September 1, 2020, at the Point Defiance Zoo.

Farewell, Boris - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

20-year-old 0.1 Anana passed away on February 8, 2021, at the Detroit Zoo.

Detroit Zoological Society Mourns Loss of Polar Bear Anana - Detroit Zoo

31-year-old 1.0 Little One passed away on March 27, 2021, at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Cincinnati Zoo Mourns Loss of Beloved Polar Bear “Little One” - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Currently, there are 67 (32.34.1) polar bears in North America. Of the 67 polar bears, 24 (14.10.0) reside at 6 institutions in Canada, 1 (0.1.0) resides at an institution in Mexico, and 42 (18.23.1) reside at 23 institutions in the United States.

CANADA

Beyond Bears Inc. - Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
0.1 Agee (Imarec × Mirsha) 1995.01.03
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Assiniboine Park Zoo - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
1.0 Storm (WILD × WILD) 2010.00.00
1.0 York (WILD × WILD) 2014.00.00
1.0 Nanuq (WILD × WILD) 2015.00.00
1.0 Siku (WILD × WILD) 2015.00.00
1.0 Baffin (WILD × WILD) 2016.00.00
0.1 Aurora (WILD × WILD) 2012.00.00
0.1 Kaska (WILD × WILD) 2012.00.00
0.1 Star (WILD × WILD) 2013.00.00
0.1 Willow (WILD × WILD) 2016.00.00
Total: 5.4.0 (9)

Canadian Polar Bear Habitat - Cochrane, Ontario, Canada
1.0 Inukshuk (WILD × WILD) 2002.00.00
1.0 Ganuk (Inukshuk × Aisaqvak) 2009.11.30
1.0 Henry (Nelson × Liya) 2013.05.09
Total: 3.0.0 (3)

Toronto Zoo - Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
1.0 Hudson (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2011.10.11
1.0 Humphrey (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2013.11.09
0.1 Aurora (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
0.1 Nikita (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
0.1 Juno (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2015.11.11
Total: 2.3.0 (5)

Aquarium du Québec - Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
1.0 Eddy (Agaguk × Nanuk) 1999.12.10
1.0 Kinuk (Yelle × Aisaqvak) 2018.11.27
1.0 Shouka (Yelle × Milak) 2018.12.11
Total: 3.0.0 (3)

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

MEXICO

Guadalajara Zoo - Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
0.1 Agata (Agaguk × Tatuk) 1997.11.23
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

UNITED STATES

Alaska Zoo - Anchorage, Alaska, United States
0.1 Cranbeary (Kavek × Voda) 2001.11.21
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

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

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

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

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky, United States
1.0 Lee (Yukon × Aurora) 1999.11.27
0.1 Qannik (WILD × WILD) 2011.01.10
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Maryland Zoo - Baltimore, Maryland, United States
0.1 Amelia Gray (Nanuq × Anana) 2016.11.08
0.1 Neva (Nanuq × Aurora) 2016.11.14
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Detroit Zoo - Royal Oak, Michigan, United States
1.0 Nuka (Kavek × Voda) 2004.11.25
0.1 Suka (Marty × Crystal) 2012.11.21
0.1 Unnamed (Nuka × Suka) 2020.11.17
0.0 Unnamed (Nuka × Suka) 2020.11.17
Total: 1.2.1 (4)

Como Park Zoo - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
1.0 Neil (Irsinak × Skeena) 1995.12.09
0.1 Nanuyaak (WILD × WILD) 1994.00.00
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Kansas City Zoo - Kansas City, Missouri, United States
1.0 Nuniq (Nanuq × Aurora) 2016.11.14
0.1 Berlin (Icee × Connie) 1989.12.11
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

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

Albuquerque Zoo - Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
1.0 Kiska (Andy × Chinook) 1996.11.19
1.0 Koluk (Andy × Chinook) 1996.11.19
Total: 2.0.0 (2)

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

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

North Carolina Zoo - Asheboro, North Carolina, United States
1.0 Payton (Aussie × Arki) 2003.11.08
0.1 Anana (Yukon × Aurora) 1999.11.27
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Columbus Zoo - Powell, Ohio, United States
1.0 Kulu (Lee × Aurora) 2019.11.28
0.1 Anana (Marty × Crystal) 2006.11.25
0.1 Aurora (Marty × Crystal) 2006.11.25
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Toledo Zoo - Toledo, Ohio, United States
1.0 Marty (Aussie × Arki) 1996.11.25
0.1 Crystal (Orca × Saskia) 1998.11.10
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Oregon Zoo - Portland, Oregon, United States
0.1 Nora (Nanuq × Aurora) 2015.11.06
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

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

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

Hogle Zoo - Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
1.0 Nikita (Marty × Nanuyaak) 2006.11.21
Total: 1.0.0 (1)

Point Defiance Zoo - Tacoma, Washington, United States
1.0 Blizzard (WILD × WILD) 1995.00.00
Total: 1.0.0 (1)

Henry Vilas Zoo - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
1.0 Borealis (Marty × Crystal) 2018.12.09
0.1 Berit (Olaf × Ulu) 1998.12.28
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Milwaukee County Zoo - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
0.1 Snow Lilly (Nicklee × Penny) 1984.12.05
Total: 0.1.0 (1)
 
Elephant Enthusiast said:
Thank you for updating the thread with the most current census of the U.S. population, @MidwestFan.

It’s been a few months since the census of the North American population was updated and an overview of the occurrences was published so the following post will publicize the current census and summarize the recent occurrences.

There have been thirteen transfers, one birth, and five deaths since January 2020.

0.1 Anana was transferred from the Cincinnati Zoo to the Detroit Zoo on January __, 2020.

New Polar Bear Makes Her Debut at the Detroit Zoo - Detroit Zoo

1.0 Eddy was transferred from the Canadian Polar Bear Habitat to the Aquarium du Québec on September __, 2020.

Aquarium du Québec | Facebook

1.0 Nuniq was transferred from the Henry Vilas Zoo to the Kansas City Zoo on October __, 2020.

Former Madison polar bear Nuniq makes public debut in Kansas City | WISC-TV

1.0 Borealis was transferred from the Toledo Zoo to the Henry Vilas Zoo on November __, 2020.

Henry Vilas Zoo | Facebook

1.0 Kinuk was transferred from the Saint Félicien Zoo to the Aquarium du Québec on November __, 2020.

Saint-Félicien Zoo | Facebook

1.0 Lee was transferred from the Columbus Zoo to the Louisville Zoo on November __, 2020.

Louisville Zoo Welcomes New Male Polar Bear | Louisville Zoo

1.0 Payton was transferred from the Memphis Zoo to the North Carolina Zoo on January 22, 2021.

Payton's New Place - North Carolina Zoo Welcomes New Polar Bear | North Carolina Zoo

1.0 Koda was transferred from the Pittsburgh Zoo to the Memphis Zoo on January __, 2021.

Memphis Zoo Welcomes New Male Polar Bear For New Breeding Opportunities | Memphis Zoo

0.1 Hope was transferred from the Hogle Zoo to the Brookfield Zoo on January 29, 2021.

Hogle Zoo’s polar bear Hope finds new home at Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo | Gephardt Daily

0.1 Nanuyaak was transferred from the Brookfield Zoo to the Como Park Zoo on January __, 2021.

Como Welcomes Nan the Polar Bear! - Como Zoo Conservatory

1.0 Shouka was transferred from the Saint Félicien Zoo to the Aquarium du Québec on February __, 2021.

Aquarium du Québec | Facebook

0.1 Nora was transferred from the Hogle Zoo to the Oregon Zoo on March 9, 2021.

Nora's back! Beloved polar bear returns to Oregon Zoo | Oregon Zoo

1.0 Nikita was transferred from the North Carolina Zoo to the Hogle Zoo on March __, 2021.

Polar bear 'Nora' returns to Oregon after more than three years at Hogle Zoo | Fox 13 News
0.1 Suka gave birth to a female cub and an undetermined gender cub on November 17, 2020, at the Detroit Zoo. 1.0 Nuka, at the Detroit Zoo, is the sire.

Two Polar Bear Cubs Born at the Detroit Zoo - Detroit Zoo
10-year-old 0.1 Taiga passed away on January 21, 2020, at the Canadian Polar Bear Habitat.

Sudden death at Cochrane's Polar Bear Habitat | CTV News

24-year-old 1.0 Buzz passed away on July __, 2020, at the Como Park Zoo.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory | Facebook
Como Park Zoo says 'proud ambassador of conservation' Buzz the polar bear has died - StarTribune
Como Zoo welcomes Nan, a platonic friend for polar bear Neil after his twin brother’s death – Twin Cities

34-year-old 1.0 Boris passed away on September 1, 2020, at the Point Defiance Zoo.

Farewell, Boris - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

20-year-old 0.1 Anana passed away on February 8, 2021, at the Detroit Zoo.

Detroit Zoological Society Mourns Loss of Polar Bear Anana - Detroit Zoo

31-year-old 1.0 Little One passed away on March 27, 2021, at the Cincinnati Zoo.

Cincinnati Zoo Mourns Loss of Beloved Polar Bear “Little One” - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Currently, there are 67 (32.34.1) polar bears in North America. Of the 67 polar bears, 24 (14.10.0) reside at 6 institutions in Canada, 1 (0.1.0) resides at an institution in Mexico, and 42 (18.23.1) reside at 23 institutions in the United States.

CANADA

Beyond Bears Inc. - Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
0.1 Agee (Imarec × Mirsha) 1995.01.03
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

Assiniboine Park Zoo - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
1.0 Storm (WILD × WILD) 2010.00.00
1.0 York (WILD × WILD) 2014.00.00
1.0 Nanuq (WILD × WILD) 2015.00.00
1.0 Siku (WILD × WILD) 2015.00.00
1.0 Baffin (WILD × WILD) 2016.00.00
0.1 Aurora (WILD × WILD) 2012.00.00
0.1 Kaska (WILD × WILD) 2012.00.00
0.1 Star (WILD × WILD) 2013.00.00
0.1 Willow (WILD × WILD) 2016.00.00
Total: 5.4.0 (9)

Canadian Polar Bear Habitat - Cochrane, Ontario, Canada
1.0 Inukshuk (WILD × WILD) 2002.00.00
1.0 Ganuk (Inukshuk × Aisaqvak) 2009.11.30
1.0 Henry (Nelson × Liya) 2013.05.09
Total: 3.0.0 (3)

Toronto Zoo - Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
1.0 Hudson (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2011.10.11
1.0 Humphrey (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2013.11.09
0.1 Aurora (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
0.1 Nikita (WILD × WILD) 2000.00.00
0.1 Juno (Inukshuk × Aurora) 2015.11.11
Total: 2.3.0 (5)

Aquarium du Québec - Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
1.0 Eddy (Agaguk × Nanuk) 1999.12.10
1.0 Kinuk (Yelle × Aisaqvak) 2018.11.27
1.0 Shouka (Yelle × Milak) 2018.12.11
Total: 3.0.0 (3)

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

MEXICO

Guadalajara Zoo - Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
0.1 Agata (Agaguk × Tatuk) 1997.11.23
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

UNITED STATES

Alaska Zoo - Anchorage, Alaska, United States
0.1 Cranbeary (Kavek × Voda) 2001.11.21
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

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

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

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

Louisville Zoo - Louisville, Kentucky, United States
1.0 Lee (Yukon × Aurora) 1999.11.27
0.1 Qannik (WILD × WILD) 2011.01.10
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Maryland Zoo - Baltimore, Maryland, United States
0.1 Amelia Gray (Nanuq × Anana) 2016.11.08
0.1 Neva (Nanuq × Aurora) 2016.11.14
Total: 0.2.0 (2)

Detroit Zoo - Royal Oak, Michigan, United States
1.0 Nuka (Kavek × Voda) 2004.11.25
0.1 Suka (Marty × Crystal) 2012.11.21
0.1 Unnamed (Nuka × Suka) 2020.11.17
0.0 Unnamed (Nuka × Suka) 2020.11.17
Total: 1.2.1 (4)

Como Park Zoo - Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
1.0 Neil (Irsinak × Skeena) 1995.12.09
0.1 Nanuyaak (WILD × WILD) 1994.00.00
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Kansas City Zoo - Kansas City, Missouri, United States
1.0 Nuniq (Nanuq × Aurora) 2016.11.14
0.1 Berlin (Icee × Connie) 1989.12.11
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

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

Albuquerque Zoo - Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
1.0 Kiska (Andy × Chinook) 1996.11.19
1.0 Koluk (Andy × Chinook) 1996.11.19
Total: 2.0.0 (2)

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

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

North Carolina Zoo - Asheboro, North Carolina, United States
1.0 Payton (Aussie × Arki) 2003.11.08
0.1 Anana (Yukon × Aurora) 1999.11.27
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Columbus Zoo - Powell, Ohio, United States
1.0 Kulu (Lee × Aurora) 2019.11.28
0.1 Anana (Marty × Crystal) 2006.11.25
0.1 Aurora (Marty × Crystal) 2006.11.25
Total: 1.2.0 (3)

Toledo Zoo - Toledo, Ohio, United States
1.0 Marty (Aussie × Arki) 1996.11.25
0.1 Crystal (Orca × Saskia) 1998.11.10
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Oregon Zoo - Portland, Oregon, United States
0.1 Nora (Nanuq × Aurora) 2015.11.06
Total: 0.1.0 (1)

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

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

Hogle Zoo - Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
1.0 Nikita (Marty × Nanuyaak) 2006.11.21
Total: 1.0.0 (1)

Point Defiance Zoo - Tacoma, Washington, United States
1.0 Blizzard (WILD × WILD) 1995.00.00
Total: 1.0.0 (1)

Henry Vilas Zoo - Madison, Wisconsin, United States
1.0 Borealis (Marty × Crystal) 2018.12.09
0.1 Berit (Olaf × Ulu) 1998.12.28
Total: 1.1.0 (2)

Milwaukee County Zoo - Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
0.1 Snow Lilly (Nicklee × Penny) 1984.12.05
Total: 0.1.0 (1)
Click to expand...

Do you know if Henry has had relatives via his captive born mother, Liya? With a wild born sire, Henry must be a genetically valuable male who is exempt from the nonsensical breeding restriction that applies to his wild born captive counterparts. Hopefully he’s paired with a female in the near future.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Do you know if Henry has had relatives via his captive born mother, Liya? With a wild born sire, Henry must be a genetically valuable male who is exempt from the nonsensical breeding restriction that applies to his wild born captive counterparts. Hopefully he’s paired with a female in the near future.
Click to expand...

His mum, Liya, actually had 15 surviving siblings: Simona (female) born 1994, Syril (male) born 1996, Colin (male) born 1998, Cora (female) born 1998, Lyuyutik (male) born 2000 & died 2019, Liya (female) born 2000 & died 2019, Bering (male) born 2002, Malygin (male) born 2002, Sedov (male) born 2002, Kai (male) born 2004, Rossy aka Pyotr (male) born 2007, Krassin (male) born 2007, Lele aka Simon (male) born 2009, Samson aka Luck Pole (male) born 2009, Lomonosov (male) born 2011, Zaba (female) born 2013, Zabava (female) born 2013.

With so many siblings, it is incredibly likely some of Liya's siblings had children as well. Liya's sister, Cora has had five children to date, for example. Liya's line is quite well represented, at least in Asia.
 
I had no idea that polar bears couldn’t be shipped to different countries, not even between the United States and Canada.

I know the U.S. polar bear population is fading, but how are Europe and Canada doing?
 
EsserWarrior said:
I had no idea that polar bears couldn’t be shipped to different countries, not even between the United States and Canada.

I know the U.S. polar bear population is fading, but how are Europe and Canada doing?
Click to expand...
It's specifically the US. Bears can move between Canada, Europe, Japan, etc...just fine.

Also the populations in Canada and Europe are both doing excellent. Europe has regular breeding and good genetic diversity. Canada has TONS of wild sourced rescue animals, and a handful imported from Europe as well. In Canada at least, breeding actually has to be limited, due to lack of holding space. Right now we have the ability to hold around 30 bears or so at the upper end of things, and we are very close to that number.
 
Hyak_II said:
It's specifically the US. Bears can move between Canada, Europe, Japan, etc...just fine.

Also the populations in Canada and Europe are both doing excellent. Europe has regular breeding and good genetic diversity. Canada has TONS of wild sourced rescue animals, and a handful imported from Europe as well. In Canada at least, breeding actually has to be limited, due to lack of holding space. Right now we have the ability to hold around 30 bears or so at the upper end of things, and we are very close to that number.
Click to expand...

I'm glad to hear that Canada and Europe can compensate for the United States. I'm surprised that the AZA isn't given any sort of lenience.
 
Great Argus said:
This surprises me too, given the work done with other protected species like Bighorn Sheep, Peninsular Pronghorn, Red Wolf, Mexican Gray Wolf, West Indian Manatee, California Condor, etc. We get rescued Sea Otters on a regular basis even. So why can't we get leniency with Polar Bear???
Click to expand...
I think the bigger question is what would it take to get leniency? Would it be able to happen in the executive branch, or would legislative action be necessary? If it's just fosh and wildlife being the problem, it would be a lot easier of a change than if Congress needs to get involved, which is likely what would need to happen.
 
Neil chace said:
I think the bigger question is what would it take to get leniency? Would it be able to happen in the executive branch, or would legislative action be necessary? If it's just fosh and wildlife being the problem, it would be a lot easier of a change than if Congress needs to get involved, which is likely what would need to happen.
Click to expand...

It would require changes to the MMPA, which would have to go through Congress I think.
 
Brookfield Zoo mentioned this regarding mating related bears:

Breeding between related individuals may be recommended occasionally in intensively managed zoo populations for a number of reasons.
In some cases, demographic concerns temporarily outweigh genetic concerns. For most populations, if we strictly selected pairs based on genetics, the populations would inevitably crash. And as we consider a bear's age, breeding history, location, medical needs, and other factors, the number of suitable matches might become even smaller. Occasionally, breeding might also be recommended between related individuals who are among the few remaining descendants of a very under-represented genetic line.
At the end of the day, if you are dealing with a population that has not already experienced a population bottleneck or reduced fitness from a confirmed genetic disease, selecting a related pair to breed in order to meet demographic needs is not likely to have a detrimental impact on the population or any resulting offspring.
 
MeiLover said:
Breeding between related individuals may be recommended occasionally in intensively managed zoo populations for a number of reasons. For most populations, if we strictly selected pairs based on genetics, the populations would inevitably crash.
Click to expand...

Though of course they wouldn’t have to resort to this if it wasn’t for the archaic legislation preventing the breeding of wild caught bears. That’s the real issue within this breeding programme.
 
MeiLover said:
Brookfield Zoo mentioned this regarding mating related bears:

Breeding between related individuals may be recommended occasionally in intensively managed zoo populations for a number of reasons.
In some cases, demographic concerns temporarily outweigh genetic concerns. For most populations, if we strictly selected pairs based on genetics, the populations would inevitably crash. And as we consider a bear's age, breeding history, location, medical needs, and other factors, the number of suitable matches might become even smaller. Occasionally, breeding might also be recommended between related individuals who are among the few remaining descendants of a very under-represented genetic line.
At the end of the day, if you are dealing with a population that has not already experienced a population bottleneck or reduced fitness from a confirmed genetic disease, selecting a related pair to breed in order to meet demographic needs is not likely to have a detrimental impact on the population or any resulting offspring.
Click to expand...

I do have to laugh at the implication that Aussie/Arki's line is underrepresented although the pairing seems to make sense (and pairings within this line were fast becoming inevitable given their share of the breeding age population).
 
Both of Detroit Zoo's cubs born in November to Suka are female and have been named:

Detroit Zoo - Royal Oak, MI (1.3)
Nuka M (Kavek x Voda) b. 2004.11.25
Suka F (Marty x Crystal) b. 2012.11.21
Astra F (Nuka x Suka) b. 2020.11.17
Laerke F (Nuka x Suka) b. 2020.11.17

Also, it is thought that Anana died from a heart condition and not from trauma during breeding with Nuka per necropsy results.
 
Neil chace said:
And now the number of zoos with polar bears drops to 22. I wonder what the next Zoo to lose polar bears will be. Como Park, Seneca Park, and Alberquerque all seem like the most likely options to me, or possibly either Pittsburgh or Point Defiance.
Click to expand...

Another 5 years and the species may well be getting to be more of a specialty than the commonplace species they used to be. Too many old and single bears now... :(
 
Great Argus said:
Another 5 years and the species may well be getting to be more of a specialty than the commonplace species they used to be. Too many old and single bears now... :(
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Yeah, it's so unfortunate how quickly and suddenly this species started disappearing from the US :(:(

Hopefully, since denning season is fastly approaching and several new breeding pairs were formed and presumably bred this breeding season, we will have a couple cubs by the end of the year!
 
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