The zoo has welcomed a 12-year-old male from the Saint Louis Zoo to Toledo and put him into an acclimation process before he is gradually introduced to Crystal.
TOLEDO, Ohio — The Toledo Zoo is shipping its 26-year-old female polar bear Crystal with a new boo from St. Louis as part of a conservation effort for the species.
The zoo has welcomed the 12-year-old male, Kali, to Toledo and put him into an acclimation process before he is gradually introduced to Crystal, who has “received what is expected to be her final breeding recommendation,” the zoo said in a press release.
If they mate and Crystal successfully gives birth, she would raise the cubs for about two years. She has already raised nine cubs in her lifetime.
Two of Crystal’s recent cubs — twins Kallik and Kallu, born on Nov. 11, 2022 — have been relocated to Kali’s former home of the Saint Louis Zoo in Missouri.
Crystal’s potential partner is no slouch. Kali was rescued as an orphaned cub in Alaska in 2013, and when he moved to the Saint Louis Zoo, he was an ambassador for his species and educated the public on the challenges polar bears face in the wild.
The polar bear conservation effort is in collaboration with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan to ensure the animals’ health and genetic diversity, the Toledo Zoo said.
The Toledo Zoo remains deeply committed to polar bear research, conservation and public education,” said Michael Frushour, the zoo’s general curator of warm-blooded animals. “We know Kallik and Kallu will continue being fantastic ambassadors and these transfers represent an important step for this species’ long-term sustainability. We’re excited to welcome Kali to Toledo and hope this new breeding opportunity will contribute new genetics within the AZA polar bear population.”
However, the Arctic Encounter exhibit is under maintenance, so the bears will not be visible to the public until further notice, the zoo said.
