New polar bear arrives at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

Yellé, a 20-year-old male Polar Bear seen in this undated photo, arrived at the Calgary Zoo on Tuesday from Quebec’s Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien)

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has welcomed a new polar bear to join its resident bear, Siku.

Yellé, a 20-year-old male polar bear from Quebec’s Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien, arrived on Tuesday and is “currently settling in” to his new surroundings.

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Staff say they took a long time to find the “right companion” for Siku following the loss of Baffin, the zoo’s other polar bear, two years ago.

The zoo says Yellé’s arrival is an exciting time.

“Having Yellé join our zoo family is a moment we’ve all been eagerly anticipating,” said Paul Woerner, the Wilder Institute’s animal care manager.

On July 19, 2024, zoo officials announced that Baffin was found dead in his enclosure. An examination of the bear’s remains discovered that he drowned in a pool after suffering a throat injury.

The investigation revealed that the wound – identified as a crushing injury to his trachea – was caused by Siku during “rough play.”

Officials said Yellé will be “gradually introduced” to Siku and those introductions will be “carefully guided.”

“The process will be gradual — starting with scent exchanges, then allowing the bears to see and interact with each other through a protective barrier, and eventually sharing space,” Woerner said.

“Every step will be guided by careful observation and our knowledge of polar bear behaviour to ensure the safety, comfort and well-being of both bears.”

• Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following ‘crushing’ injury
• Polar bear ‘Baffin’ dies at Calgary Zoo after not resurfacing from pool

If everything goes well, zoo guests should expect to see Yellé roaming the polar bear paddock in April.