Orphaned Cubs Play A Vital Role In Conservation

/ Post by Katie Billing of Polar Bears International

Polar bear cubs that live in zoos serve as “Animal Ambassadors” for their distant wild relatives. Their cute antics bring them fame and provide conservation interpretation by zoo employees. Not to mention that baby animals often bring zoos the most revenue that in turn is put back into conservation programs. One of the most famous polar bear cubs was Knut of the Berlin Zoo. Knut was rejected by his mother when he was born in 2006. Berlin zookeeper Thomas Dorflein took charge and raised Knut to be one of the world’s favorite polar bears. People traveled all over the world to see Knut who continued to amuse the general public with his playful nature. Knut died unexpectedly in 2011 at the age of 4.

The torch of conservation was then passed onto Siku, the polar bear cub born in 2012 at the Scandinavian Wildlife Park. Siku was removed from his mother who was unable to produce enough milk to care for him. He remains a prominent figure in the rise against climate change. In fact, Polar Bears International and explore.org have been using Siku’s live cameras to spread,”Siku’s Wish.” The goal is to encourage people to reduce their carbon footprints, promote conservation, and preserve the arctic sea ice for the polar bears.

A new cub is joining the role as Animal Ambassador and may have a story more heart wrenching and inspirational than any cub yet. This polar bear cub is Kali. Kali is a wild born cub that was rescued on March 12 this past year. A subsistence hunter near the Alaska village of Point Lay killed her mother. In fact, Kali means Point Lay in Iñupiaq. Currently a temporary resident at Alaska Zoo, Kali engages in numerous enrichment toys as she bides time until spring, when she will be moved to the Buffalo Zoo in New York. A big thank you to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who decided she could be welcomed into the United States from her arctic home.