"The cub, which weighs between 10 and 20 pounds, is stressed from the rigors of the trip and adjusting to its new environment without its mother," Schliebe said. "Our main concern is to have the cub examined by a veterinarian, and began stabilizing and acclimating the cub to its new setting."
According to Schliebe, on March 28 a young Point Lay hunter killed a female polar bear at a close distance when the animal charged. The hunter encountered the polar bear when he was returning along the coast, north of Point Lay, from a fishing trip. Federal Law allows for the take of polar bears in defense of life.
After he found the cub in the den of the dead female, the hunter transported it to Point Lay, and then to Dr. Kathy Caldwell of the North Slope Boroughs Veterinarian Clinic. Dr. Caldwell took care of the cub and assisted in transporting it to biologist Schliebe and Pat Lampe of the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage.
Since the sudden deaths of well-known polar bear residents, Binky and Nuka, the Zoo has been working toward building a new polar bear exhibit. "We are interested in providing a permanent home for this cub, but our exhibit is still under construction," Zoo Director Sammye Seawell said. "Were excited to be able to have the cub now, but it is pretty upset today, so were trying to minimize stress. We havent made a decision about when the public will be invited to visit."
According to Schliebe, demand for polar bears from other zoos has dwindled in recent years because of the long life spans of polar bears in captivity. "Some polar bears have lived into their late 30s in captivity," Schliebe said. In the wild they generally live into their late 20s.11
According to the Fish and wildlife Service, public display facilities for marine mammals, including polar bears, must meet basic requirements established by law. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has trust responsibility for polar bears. Although Alaska Natives can legally hunt polar bears, they are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Currently biologists estimate that there are between 3,000 and 5,000 polar bears in Alaska.
FWS
