Tragic Incident Claims Life of Polar Bear at Calgary Zoo

A polar bear has tragically passed away in its enclosure at the Calgary Zoo, an incident that has left both staff and visitors in shock. This unforeseen event occurred on Friday morning when the two polar bears, Baffin and Siku, were observed engaging in playful sparring in their pool, behavior typically seen as normal for these animals.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., zoo personnel began to notice that Baffin had not resurfaced from the water, leaving staff concerned after not seeing the bear for several minutes. The other polar bear Siku was promptly removed from the enclosure by the staff, allowing the zoo’s animal care team to enter and assess the situation.

Upon their arrival, the team confirmed the unfortunate news that Baffin had died while submerged in the pool. Following this, the body of the bear was retrieved and sent for a necropsy, the animal equivalent of an autopsy, to determine the cause of its death.

Jamie Dorgan, the interim CEO and COO of the Calgary Zoo, addressed the media during a press conference held on that day. He expressed the profound shock felt by the zoo staff and volunteers, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the incident. “This is obviously a huge shock for our team today,” Dorgan stated. “We are doing everything we can to support our teams who treat these polar bears like family.”

Zoo veterinarians are conducting an exhaustive examination to explore every possible cause for Baffin’s death. An initial inspection did not reveal any immediate signs or symptoms that could explain the bear’s sudden demise. “We observed that the bears were engaging in their customary playful behavior and then, quite suddenly, we noticed only one bear in the pool,” Dorgan recounted the sequence of events that led to the tragic discovery.

The process of the necropsy might take weeks or even months if the cause of death is not readily apparent. Meanwhile, zoo staff are closely monitoring Siku, the surviving polar bear, due to the unexpected nature of Baffin’s death and its possible implications on Siku’s well-being.

Zoocheck, a Canadian-based organization dedicated to international wildlife protection, has expressed its concerns regarding the circumstances of Baffin’s passing. Julie Woodyer, Campaigns Director for Zoocheck, noted: “We are very worried about the return of polar bears to the Calgary Zoo, considering they are among the least suitable species for captivity. Given that this bear was relatively young, Baffin’s death seems quite suspicious. Our hope is that environmental factors were not involved.”

The two polar bears were brought from the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg to Calgary in October 2023. This move marked their relocation to a different facility, and Baffin was only seven years old at the time of his death.

The Wild Canada exhibit, where the polar bears were housed, has been closed following the incident as the zoo prioritizes the health and safety of all its animals, while also ensuring the emotional support of staff through this challenging time.

The zoo is working diligently to keep the public informed and to ease the concerns of its visitors as they investigate this shocking event. As the days go by, all eyes will be on the findings from the necropsy, which may provide further insights into this heartbreaking situation.