Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien, Located in Canada, Announces a RareEvent, the Birth of a Polar Bear Cub

Saint-Félicien, Québec (ots/PRNewswire) – Zoo sauvage de
Saint-Félicien, located in Canada, is extremely proud to confirm the
birth during the night of November 27 of a polar bear cub in their
institution. The event, especially rare in captivity, constitutes
excellent news for the genetic diversity of the species, listed as
vulnerable worldwide by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUNC). The parents come from different biological
environments and had never mated together before.

The birth was quite a surprise for the team. The signs of gestation
are not easy to detect in polar bears, and it is while she was making
her regular rounds early in the morning on November 27 that the
animal caregiver happened to discover the presence of a cub in the
lair occupied by the 16 year-old female, Aisaqvak. The event is the
crowning achievement of several years of efforts by the zoo
biologists and veterinarians, who have taken multiple steps since
2011 to ensure a successful mating.

Aisaqvak had previously given birth to a cub, in 2008. That cub did
not survive but the mother was able to demonstrate her excellent
parenting skills when she gave birth to a male and a female cub the
following year.

It will take a few weeks to determine the sex of the cub, who weighs
.2% of the weight of the mother, herself a healthy 330 kg. Mother and
cub will discover the brand new polar bear habitat at Zoo sauvage de
Saint-Félicien in the spring of 2019, an event that should be rich in
emotions for the visitors who witness this unique experience.

An exceptional contribution for the species

This birth is highly meaningful for the Zoo and the worldwide
population. Polar bear populations are on the decrease in the wild,
as well as in captivity. In 2006, there were 364 polar bears in
institutions worldwide, vs only 298 individuals in 2015. Reproduction
of the species is especially difficult in an institution, which
explains why such events are so rare. This is a first cub for Yellé,
a 13 year-old male.

The evolution of the cub can be followed on the Facebook page of the
Zoo, at https://www.facebook.com/zoosauvage/.

Christine Gagnon, Director, Education and Conservation,
+1-418-679-0543 (5278), christine.gagnon@zoosauvage.org

Digital press kit: http://www.ots.at/pressemappe/PR133062/aom

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