A polar bear cub was delivered to the Alaska Zoo for preliminary care and management. The male cub is currently being held for observation and appears to be responding well, according to the zoo.
On Tuesday, March 12, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a report that a female polar bear had been taken near the Alaskan community of Point Lay. The female bear was accompanied by a cub, which was first recovered and transferred to Point Lay, and then to the North Slope Borough's Department of Wildlife Management in Barrow.
After a health evaluation by the DWM, which determined that the male cub is approximately three to four months in age, the Alaska Zoo arranged the cub's transportation from Barrow to Anchorage.
The people of Point Lay call the cub "Kali" (pronounced cul-ly), which is the Inupiat name for their community.
Kali is currently not on display at the zoo. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will determine at a later date when there will be opportunities for public viewing.
Kali will not be a permanent resident at the Alaska Zoo because the zoo already has two adult polar bears on display. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will determine Kali's final destination after considering all options.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appreciates their many partners, the Point Lay community, the North Slope Borough, Alaska Airlines, the NSB Police Department, and the Alaska Zoo, for their aid in recovering, transporting, and caring for this young polar bear cub.
Contact Jessica Ridgway
