One of Louisville Zoo’s most popular animals, female polar bear Qannik, officially has a new mate.
After years of discussions with various agencies and organizations, Qannik has joined the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) cooperative breeding program. Her breeding mate is Borealis aka “Bo.”
Born at the Toledo Zoo, Bo, named for the Aurora Borealis, came to Louisville from the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin.
Bo, who weighs more than 1,000 pounds, has completed his standard quarantine period is currently on exhibit at the Louisville’s award-winning Glacier Run.
We are beary excited to introduce Borealis, also known as "Bo!" This 1,000-pound, 5-year-old male polar bear arrived at the Louisville Zoo from Henry Vilas Zoo and will soon join Qannik on habitat rotation as a part of a breeding recommendation. More at https://t.co/9nJjcb9MyH. pic.twitter.com/DXZwoUJm3X
— Louisville Zoo (@LouisvilleZoo) February 16, 2024
Qannik has been at the Louisville Zoo since June 2011. Qannik made national headlines when she was found on Alaska’s North Slope in 2011 separated from her mother and sibling. At four months of age, Qannik was under weight and could not survive on her own, having not learned vital skills for swimming and hunting. After several days of monitoring her in the hopes that she would reunite with the other bears, USFWS began a rescue operation.
“Over the years, AZA professionals have had multiple meetings about the few polar bears that have been rescued as orphaned cubs and their potential to be parents,” said Louisville Zoo Director, Dan Maloney. “Due to her wild-born status, Qannik has existed, until recently, in a kind of nebulous, reproductive “Twilight Zone” category. That is, until U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff, AZA leadership and Senator Paul’s team worked together to finally admit Qannik into the program.”
Polar bears are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species and listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS).
According to a press release, U.S. Senator Rand Paul and AZA CEO Dan Ashe played a pivotal role in achieving permission from USFWS for rescued orphaned polar bears to become parents.
“Breeding recommendations are an important part of ensuring the species’ future. As a wild-born bear, Qannik’s genes are not represented anywhere within in the zoo population. Her contribution to the health of the species will be vital. When determining potential pairings, genetic pedigree, age and temperament are all important factors for consideration,” said Maloney.
Current polar bear populations are estimated at 25,000 worldwide. Maloney added, “It will be a well-planned, carefully orchestrated, closely monitored, and hopefully successful breeding process between Qannik and Bo.”
Qannik and Bo can be seen at the Louisville Zoo’s award-winning Glacier Run exhibit.
The Louisville Zoo is open daily year-round. Now through March 15, hours are 10 a.m. ─ 4 p.m. (stay until 5 p.m.)
For more information, visit louisvillezoo.org.
