Tragic Loss at Calgary Zoo: Polar Bear Baffin Found Dead

In a heart-wrenching incident on Friday at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, one of its polar bears, Baffin, tragically died in his enclosure.

The incident unfolded around 11:30 a.m. when Baffin and his companion Siku were observed engaging in playful sparring in their habitat pool—an activity deemed typical for the two bears.

However, zoo staff soon noticed that Baffin had failed to surface after a brief period, raising immediate concerns for his well-being.

Following the observation, Siku was carefully guided out of the enclosure while the zoo’s animal care team entered the area to conduct an assessment of Baffin. Unfortunately, staff quickly determined that Baffin had passed away in the pool.

The deceased bear was subsequently removed from the water and sent for a necropsy, which will help ascertain the cause of his untimely death.

Baffin and Siku were brought to the Calgary Zoo in October 2023, arriving from the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg. The deceased bear was only seven years old at the time of his death.

During a press conference held later that day, Jamie Dorgan, the interim CEO and COO of the zoo, expressed the shock and sadness felt among the staff and volunteers regarding Baffin’s unexpected demise.

“This is obviously a huge shock for our team today; we are grappling with this incredibly surprising situation,” Dorgan remarked.

As for the investigation into Baffin’s death, Dorgan assured that the veterinary team would meticulously examine all potential causes. He noted that an initial examination did not reveal any conspicuous signs that would immediately indicate the reason behind the bear’s passing.

“It’s important to recognize that these bears were engaging in their typical playful behavior, and then suddenly, one of our volunteers noticed that only one bear was in sight. That immediately prompted a call to our animal care team,” he explained.

The nature of Baffin’s death is being taken very seriously, with zoo staff maintaining a vigilant watch over Siku, the surviving polar bear, given the alarming circumstances surrounding his companion’s passing.

Zoocheck, a prominent Canadian-based international wildlife protection organization, has voiced its concerns regarding the welfare of the polar bears at the Calgary Zoo.

Julie Woodyer, the organization’s campaigns director, commented on the incident, stating, “We are certainly alarmed that polar bears were kept at this facility in the first place, as they are particularly ill-suited for captivity. However, given that Baffin was relatively young, I find his death very troubling, and it appears quite suspicious. I sincerely hope that environmental factors were not a contributor.”

The Calgary Zoo has faced scrutiny in the past regarding the humane treatment of wildlife, and this incident is likely to raise further questions about animal husbandry practices at the institution.

As the zoo moves forward, it is committed to keeping the public informed while also taking measures to ensure the mental and physical health of Siku and any other animals in their care.

Currently, the investigation and necropsy could take an extended period, from weeks to several months, depending on whether the underlying cause of Baffin’s death can be readily identified.

With the Wild Canada exhibit, which features enlarged habitats for polar bears and other local wildlife, having opened only recently after extensive renovations, this incident casts a shadow over the zoo’s celebrated efforts to enhance animal exhibits and welfare.

As we await further updates from the Calgary Zoo, the community, as well as animal rights advocates, will undoubtedly be watching closely to understand the circumstances of this tragic loss and what it may mean for the future of polar bears at the facility.