Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo imports caregiver to help new polar bear feel more at home

Yelle 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’s efforts to welcome its newest addition include something most zoos don’t usually use: a caregiver.

Yelle, a 20-year-old polar bear who arrived in Calgary a little over a week ago, came from the Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Felicien in Quebec, where the care team worked with him using French cues during training.

To support a smooth transition for Yelle in Calgary, the zoo brought in a member of his dedicated care team from Zoo Zauvage de Saint-Felicient to help share some of those cues with the animal care team in Calgary as they get to know Yelle.

One commenter on social media asked if Yelle knew English.

“Yes,” a zoo representative posted. “Our team is starting to use English in training.”

Another commenter found it highly appropriate to have a bear who responds to bilingual commands.

“Gorgeous,” they said, “and bilingual to boot! Fantastic!”

Meeting Siku

In helping Yelle feel more at home, the zoo also hopes he bonds with Siku, who lost his companion Baffin two years ago.

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

It’s unclear what language those introductions will be conducted in, but it turns out the first language bears speak with each other is smell.

“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,” said Paul Woerner, the Wilder Institute’s animal care manager.

“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.”

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

With files from CTV’s Michael Franklin