North American Polar Bear Reproduction

0.1 Berit (Olaf x Ulu) 1998-12-28 (Henry Vilas Zoo) has been inseminated again. Henry Vilas Zoo didn't specify what male's sperm was used, but let's hope she's finally successful this year.
 
Moebelle said:
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan has recommended a new match for female polar bear Anana. After being with Cincinnati Zoo’s 30-year-old male polar bear Little One for three breeding seasons without producing a cub, Anana will be paired with a male at the Detroit Zoo that has sired cubs in the past. We will miss her but know that she’s going to a good home and the best situation for her to reproduce and contribute to the dwindling polar bear population. Her new home will be in the Arctic Ring of Life, which includes grassy tundra, a freshwater pool, a “pack ice” area and a 190,000-gallon salt water pool. It’s one of North America’s largest polar bear habitats. Once she settles in, she’ll be joining 15-year-old male Nuka and 7-year-old female Suka. This weekend will be the last opportunity to see Anana in Cincinnati.
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The Cincinnati Zoo's Female Polar Bear Is Moving On, Here's Where She's Going And Why | WVXU

I'm glad the SSP has recommended that 0.1 Anana be moved from the Cincinnati Zoo to the Detroit Zoo for improved breeding. However, it's unfortunate that despite mating with several female polar bears over the course of many breeding seasons, 1.0 Little One was never able to successfully reproduce. Since Little One is genetically valuable and his genes are not represented in the population, would the SSP consider using him as a donor for artificial insemination depending on his fertility? Or deem him as post-reproductive and retire him from breeding given his lack of reproduction and older age?
 
To those who know more about the matter than I do: can the Marine Mammal Protection Act be amended by Congress, such that institutions such as accredited zoos/aquariums that are actively seeking to conserve marine mammal species, and pass muster, be allowed to breed wild-born polar bears, and/or sea otters/manatees? Or would the entire law have to be scrapped?
 
imaginarius said:
can the Marine Mammal Protection Act be amended by Congress, such that institutions such as accredited zoos/aquariums that are actively seeking to conserve marine mammal species, and pass muster, be allowed to breed wild-born polar bears, and/or sea otters/manatees?
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Yes, the MMPA has been amended multiple times before and it could be again to allow imports of captive-bred animals for zoos. It may also instead be the Fish & Wildlife Service's regulations or official stance that prevents orphan bears from being bred - in which case that can also be changed from within.
 
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Elephant Enthusiast said:
Calgary Zoo - Calgary, Alberta
The Calgary Zoo once had polar bears but were phased out for unknown reasons. Fortunately, when the Calgary Zoo announced their master plan, one of the components of phase II was to construct an area called Northern Shoreline which will house polar bears. With this new habitat, more polar bears will be able to reside in Canadian institutions.
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I moved from Toronto to Calgary mid 90s. As a child I adored the polar bears in Toronto. The polar bear exhibit in Calgary was beyond awful. I remember standing and watching Snowball pace up and down the edge of the too-small pool. That’s all she did, pace, pace, pace. Her enclosure was way too small for her. Not too long after she was put down for (mental?) issues. I want to say it was anxiety but I truly can’t recall now. I remember crying while watching her pace and my (now) spouse guided me away but I was so angry about that inadequate living space. It’s possible that’s why Calgary’s polar bears were phased out. EDIT The bear’s name was Snowball, not
Snowflake. CBC articles reference Misty but that was not the bear I remember. Snowball was given Prozac. There are lots of Redditors who recall the poor pacing polar bear.
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imaginarius said:
To those who know more about the matter than I do: can the Marine Mammal Protection Act be amended by Congress, such that institutions such as accredited zoos/aquariums that are actively seeking to conserve marine mammal species, and pass muster, be allowed to breed wild-born polar bears, and/or sea otters/manatees? Or would the entire law have to be scrapped?
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The main problem is an act of God is more likely than an act of Congress.

The better question is, what is the fine for breaking that law? Is it just a fine? I'd gladly donate towards the fundraiser to pay the fine if it results in a healthy polar bear population. What if the facility "accidentally" let the male and female come together "unintentionally" and a cub was "inadvertently" produced? Is it still subject to the law about not breeding? Corporations always factor in fines as a cost of doing business, if that corporation happens to be a zoo they should play by the same rules.
 
MidwestFan said:
Will be interesting to see where they get a breeding pair, as all of their bears are non-reproductive.
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Just out of curiousity - it is my understanding that the females aren't reproductively viable for a myriad of reasons (prior/current birth control usage, age, one being related to the male), but what is the hold up with the male being a viable breeding candidate? I've always found it a bit odd that a younger female who is either proven/has never been on birth control hasn't been sent to SD to try with this unrepresented male... but maybe there is a reason(s) I'm unaware of? Thanks in advance for whoever answers! :)
 
Well polar bear birthing season is starting to come upon us. Who all are the prospects for for cubbing this year? Any promising denning activity of note for any of them?
 
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