Rekindled
While keepers try to set up Haley and Payton for their first tentative blind dates, they hope to reignite an old flame at the same time. Arki will be reunited with her longtime mate, Aussie. There has been a lot of mutual interest between the two bears of late. As we are in the midst of polar bear breeding season, the two can be seen sniffing each other from across separate grottos. Keepers expect the reintroduction to be uneventful. After all, the two bears have known each other since 1985, when Aussie moved into the zoo’s Bear Grottos.
It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 polar bears in the wild, though exact numbers are not known. Polar bear habitats are threatened due to oil spills and other environmental degradation, which decreases their main food source—seals. Polar bears are listed as conservation dependent by the IUCN—The World Conservation Union, and are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The Furthest Reaches of Romance
In Canada, keepers are seeing early breeding behavior from Eddy and Tiguak. Cubs are probably a while away, but keepers in Quebec are encouraged by their behavior. Given Tiguak’s amazing life story, this is exciting news!
Marty Polar Bear was Arki’s son, born before Tiguak. He currently lives at Toledo Zoo, but is getting set to strike out to see the world. He will be moving to Sea World Zoo in Australia. This is also very exciting because it completes a circle. His father, Aussie, originally came to Brookfield Zoo from an Australian zoo. Details of Marty’s new home sound amazing, with huge ice block freezers, giant fans, and a cooling system that can drop the entire exhibit to freezing in seconds. He will head Down Under sometime this year.
Care for a Bear?
Purchase a Share the Care package online and help the zoo care for the Payton, Arki, or Aussie Polar Bear. Get a personalized certificate, photo of Payton, and more---just for showing you care.
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Who Could Resist Aussie Polar Bear?