The Denver Zoo has a rich history when it comes to polar bear cubs, with several notable instances of relocation and breeding efforts over the years. From the iconic Ulaq and Berit to the more recent Cranbeary and Lee, the zoo’s involvement in polar bear conservation has been both fascinating and impactful.
Ulaq and Berit: The Relocated Duo
In the year 2000, the Denver Zoo made the decision to relocate two 18-month-old polar bear cubs, Ulaq and Berit, to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. The cubs were sold for $1,000 each and were part of a naming contest at their new home, despite already having names given by the Denver Zoo.
Boris and Natasha: The Breeding Pair
Also in the year 2000, the Denver Zoo welcomed two 7-month-old polar bear cubs, Boris and Natasha, as part of the zoo’s breeding program. These cubs weighed over 100 pounds each and were expected to be relocated in the future as part of the zoo’s efforts to manage the polar bear population.
Cranbeary and Lee: The Relocation for Breeding
In 2018 and 2019, the Denver Zoo made the strategic decision to relocate a polar bear couple, Cranbeary and Lee, to the Alaska Zoo and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, respectively. This move was part of a Specific Survival Plan to protect the polar bear population, with the hope that the new environments would be more conducive to breeding and producing offspring.
Klondike and Snow: The Abandoned Twins
The Denver Zoo’s history with polar bear cubs also includes the story of Klondike and Snow, twin cubs born at the zoo in 1994. These cubs were abandoned by their mother, Ulu, and were subsequently raised by the zoo staff. In 1995, the twins were relocated to SeaWorld Orlando, with Snow later moving to the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, before her death in 2012.
Current Status and Future Plans
The Denver Zoo does not currently have any immediate plans to bring polar bears back to the zoo, but they remain committed to the conservation of the species. The zoo’s master plan includes the possibility of building a new habitat for polar bears in the future, as part of their ongoing efforts to support the species.
Interesting Facts about Denver Zoo’s Polar Bear Cubs
- The Denver Zoo has been actively involved in polar bear breeding programs, including the relocation of Cranbeary and Lee to increase the chances of producing offspring.
- The zoo’s grizzly bear enclosure was deemed too small by the USDA, leading to the relocation of the grizzly bears to the polar bears’ larger enclosure.
References
- https://extras.denverpost.com/news/news0624g.htm
- https://www.cpr.org/show-segment/there-were-two-other-reasons-the-denver-zoo-moved-its-polar-bears-the-grizzlies/
- https://www.westword.com/arts/denver-zoo-lost-its-polar-bears-but-the-move-paid-off-for-the-species-11559276
- https://denver.citycast.fm/denver-history/snow-klondike-denver-baby-polar-bears
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_gfWIGIq3g