North American Polar Bear Population 2021

I agree, interesting choice. Especially when Maryland just got their bears sent out, Point Defiance only has the ailing Blizzard, Pittsburgh only has Snowflake and Nan arrived earlier this year to be Neil’s companion. I don’t know where I was expecting, but this wasn’t even on my radar. All in all though, they appear to have a beautiful facility and strong program.

Does anyone know how many bears they can accommodate?
 
It’s that time of year again guys, it’s denning season!
This year there are 7 females that could give birth, many of whom are in new pairings. Here is a list of the females who should be denning this year and who’s most likely to give birth (based on age, consistency, birth control, breeding seasons with current mate, etc.):

Highly likely:
- 22 year old, Crystal - Toledo zoo, bred with Marty - 7 cubs together

Likely:
- 8 year old, Luna - Buffalo zoo, bred with Sakari - 5th season together
- 18 year old, Haley - Memphis zoo, bred with Koda - 1st season together
- 5 year old, Hope - Brookfield zoo, bred with Hudson - 1st season together

Less likely, but still possible:
- 16 year old, Talini - Lincoln Park zoo, bred with Siku - 3rd full season together
- 21 year old, Anana - North Carolina, bred with Peyton - 1st season

Unlikely:
- 22 year old Berit - Henry Vilas Zoo, Potentially AI’ed again

Of these females only one has had cubs before, at least one was on birth control in the past (Anana), and many received new mates last spring.
This may not look like a lot of cub potential, but next year we should see females Aurora and Anana (Columbus), Neva (unconfirmed location), and maybe Amelia Grey and Nora (Oregon zoo) join the mix.
 
I’m very excited for denning season this year and very hopeful at least two (but hopefully more) litters are born this year. I would be thrilled if more than 2 litters are born this year as I’m pretty sure the last time that happened was in 2006! Let’s keep our fingers crossed for lots of cubs this year and especially some cubs from Memphis (aka unrelated to the Aussie x Arki line)!
 
Animals R AMAZING! said:
I’m very excited for denning season this year and very hopeful at least two (but hopefully more) litters are born this year. I would be thrilled if more than 2 litters are born this year as I’m pretty sure the last time that happened was in 2006! Let’s keep our fingers crossed for lots of cubs this year and especially some cubs from Memphis (aka unrelated to the Aussie x Arki line)!
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You’re right, I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since 3 litters were born, 5 years since 2 litters, and 9 since a non Aussie x Arki cub. I am also confident in this season, one litter almost guaranteed, and 5 others with a decent chance. A lot better than years past (not necessarily numbers wise, but pairings wise).
 
I don't think Berit from Henry Vilas will be breeding either. Unless she somehow bred with one of the males she has been housed with, I haven't heard any rumors about attempting artificial insemination again. I think the zoo would announce if they tried to pair the bears up as well.
 
EsserWarrior said:
I don't think Berit from Henry Vilas will be breeding either. Unless she somehow bred with one of the males she has been housed with, I haven't heard any rumors about attempting artificial insemination again. I think the zoo would announce if they tried to pair the bears up as well.
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You’re right, I haven’t heard anything this year either. And Bo is far to young to expect cubs from. Just hoping someone would prove me wrong! According to a post from last year she still dens even when she’s not been AI’ed, as demonstrated last year.
 
Animals R AMAZING! said:
That’s very sad news! :(

We can only hope his mate Crystal is pregnant and the pair has one more litter together.
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This year came so close to being the first one in the past 15+ years where the population hasn't declined (not even sure how long specifically it's been in decline, potentially much, much longer but I only have data up to 2006), and this loss is of the most prolific sire living in the US by far as well. Absolutely tragic news
 
This is sad, but potentially a diamond in the rough, situation wise. Crystal still likely has a few good reproductive years left, and her only relatives are her offspring (all with Marty) and grand offspring. If she could get another 2-3 cubs on the ground with a new, under-represented male, it could be a tremendous boon to the population down the road.
 
Hyak_II said:
This is sad, but potentially a diamond in the rough, situation wise. Crystal still likely has a few good reproductive years left, and her only relatives are her offspring (all with Marty) and grand offspring. If she could get another 2-3 cubs on the ground with a new, under-represented male, it could be a tremendous boon to the population down the road.
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Interesting take on this. I wonder why this breeding pair was never separated prior to create two new, less represented breeding pairs.
 
Neil chace said:
Interesting take on this. I wonder why this breeding pair was never separated prior to create two new, less represented breeding pairs.
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I'm not big on speculating why population managers make the decisions they do, but it's worth mentioning that almost all offsetting of deaths that has occurred in the population the past few years have been from the consistent breeding pairs.
 
Hyak_II said:
This is sad, but potentially a diamond in the rough, situation wise. Crystal still likely has a few good reproductive years left, and her only relatives are her offspring (all with Marty) and grand offspring. If she could get another 2-3 cubs on the ground with a new, under-represented male, it could be a tremendous boon to the population down the road.
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I wonder which male she could be paired with, a male could easily be swapped between Toledo and either Columbus or Cincinnati. Plus she will likely give birth this year, so I doubt a new male would come in until 2023 after this litter leaves the zoo. Hudson and Payton, Marty’s brothers are good candidates, also Lee if he returns to Columbus and breeds their girls in the next two year. Kalluk or Koda would work too. I think they might bring back Nikita though once crystals cubs leave her (in the event she gives birth). He is not paired right now, was born in Toledo, has important genes through his mother, and he is unlikely to have another female to be paired with.

I’m very curious to see what the future holds. Who knows, they might even get one of Crystal’s daughters or granddaughters too.
 
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