Orphaned polar bear to be ‘ambassador’ for Churchill at Assiniboine Park Zoo

A nine-month-old orphaned polar bear cub has arrived at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba, after being found alone in northern Manitoba. The cub, whose name has yet to be determined, is currently being monitored and treated for minor health issues by the zoo's veterinarians. Chris Enright, the senior director of zoological operations at the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, stated that the cub is doing well overall.

The cub's mother died in Churchill, and the province is investigating the cause of her death. The cub will be kept at the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre, serving as an ambassador for its species, Churchill, and the Arctic. It typically takes about two weeks for a cub to become comfortable in human care, after which point it will likely remain at the zoo permanently.

Polar bear cubs rely heavily on their mothers for survival, typically for one and a half to two and a half years, during which time they learn to hunt seals. If left in the wild, the cub would likely starve due to lack of experience and skills. The zoo is seeking community input for naming the cub and has collaborated with northern partners on the process.