An orphaned polar bear cub found near Churchill, Man., has been brought to Winnipeg, according to the Assiniboine Park Zoo. Following the tragic death of its mother, conservation officers deemed the cub eligible for relocation to the zoo’s Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre under the Polar Bear Protection Act, as announced in a recent press release.
Established with provincial backing, the conservation centre serves as a sanctuary for specific polar bears in need. Chris Enright, the senior director of zoological operations at the zoo, explained that the cub was unlikely to survive on its own in the wild due to not yet having acquired essential hunting skills.
Collaborating with the province, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s polar bear rescue team dispatched resources to provide initial care for the cub in Churchill. Subsequently, veterinary staff traveled to assess the cub and oversee its safe transfer to Winnipeg, where it arrived late Thursday.
The cub will receive specialized care from veterinary professionals, animal experts, and conservation scientists at the zoo. After a quarantine period, the bear will remain out of sight while its health and care requirements are evaluated. According to Enright, the acclimation process will be gradual and tailored to the cub’s readiness.
The zoo’s experience with previous bear rescues suggests that it may take around two weeks for the cub to adjust to its new environment. During this period, the cub will be introduced to various stimuli such as food, human interaction, and enrichment activities to ensure its well-being.
While the cub will not be visible to the public for now, Enright anticipates that it may be ready to meet visitors within the next month or two, depending on its progress. The zoo, which already houses six other rescued polar bears, manages the transition of each cub at a pace that prioritizes animal comfort and welfare.
Enright expressed optimism about the cub’s potential to thrive at the zoo, given its early life experience with its mother. He emphasized the importance of socialization with other bears to help fill the void left by the mother’s passing.
The last polar bear cubs brought to the zoo arrived in 2017. Enright highlighted the educational role of showcasing polar bears to the public, aiming to foster a connection that inspires behavior change to protect wildlife, particularly polar bears in their natural habitat.
The zoo plans to provide regular updates as the new cub settles into its new home.