An unweighted polar bear cub found alone at Prudhoe Bay’s oil drilling facilities last month was taken to Alaska Zoo Anchorage.
According to David Gustine (the U.S.), the bear was first seen around Thanksgiving, eating foxes, and after a few days observers confirmed that it had been orphaned. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Polar Bear Program Lead.
Fish and Wildlife sent a team polar bear biologists from Fish and Wildlife to Prudhoe Bay in order to check on the cub.
Officials from the agency released a statement Wednesday saying that “the team in consultation with the Alaska Zoo veterinarian made the difficult and rare determination that the approximately 10- to 11-month old male bear should be removed” “The bear displayed comfort around humans, raising concerns about potential human-bear conflict. This decision was made.”
Gustine stated that the cub would not have survived on its merits if it had been separated from its mother so young. Cubs spend two-and-a-half years with their mothers. Gustine stated that the decision to capture and kill the cub of polar bear was partly based on Alaska’s zoo capacities.
He said that the bright side is that there is a lot of demand for polar bears at the U.S. Zoo system. We have the option to work with our partners in zoos – the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage has the space and the need and they are a great partner.
He said that biologists had created a 10-foot-long, tube-shaped “culvert trap” to catch the cub. It was then sedated, and it was crated on an Alaska Airlines flight from Deadhorse, Alaska, to Anchorage.
Fish and Wildlife reported that the cub was slightly overweight at 103 pounds. A similar-aged polar bear cub typically weighs between 120 and 220 pounds. The cub also had minor cuts on its upper lips. The cub is currently being cared for at the zoo and is not displayed publicly.
Patrick Lampi, Alaska Zoo Executive Director, stated that “our primary concern is the welfare of the cub.” “It was observed eating a fox and the (and the) injuries on its upper lips are likely to be from that activity. We have extended quarantine procedures for this cub because of the high incidence of rabies in fox in the Prudhoe Bay region.
Although Fish and Wildlife has not yet decided the cub’s fate, they stated that it would not be released into nature due to its familiarity and age with humans.
Gustine stated that the decision to exterminate this bear was not taken lightly. “Removing a bear from the wild is not an ideal outcome for either the individual or the entire population. However, we felt it was the best thing to do in this instance.”
Gustine stated that the bear was “a little on both the small side” and that everything else so far seemed normal for a cub.
He said, “Outside that, you know it was a wild beast, a bear, and behaved I believe normal given the circumstances.” He said, “That is exactly what you want to see and it’s a good chance that he will do well in captivity.”
Kali was the last polar bear cub taken from Alaska’s wild by a hunter. He found him near Point Lay in 2013, and he had no idea that Kali had a cub.
After receiving initial care at Alaska Zoo, Kali was finally moved to the St. Louis Zoo where is still today.
On Wednesday, the Alaska Zoo posted a video showing the Prudhoe Bay Polar Bear cub playing in a snowy enclosure while holding an empty bucket. According to the zoo, the bear is doing well.
The post stated that the Zookeepers were caring for him and providing him with enrichment. They also helped him adjust to his new environment.
Cranbeary is currently the Alaska Zoo’s only female polar bear. The Alaska Zoo lost Ahpun and Lyutyik its previous polar bear residents.
Gustine reports that Fish and Wildlife’s Division of Management Authority will decide if the cub will remain at the Alaska Zoo or be moved elsewhere.
He stated that he believes the bear will be able to remain in Anchorage at Alaska Zoo. However, he was not sure.
Gustine stated that neither the Zoo staff nor Fish and Wildlife Service have decided yet what to call this bear.
“No names. He laughed and said, “No names yet.” “They’ll talk with the zoo about it.”
The Fish and Wildlife Service thanked Hilcorp for reporting the animal and Alaska Clean Seas, for logistical and field support.
