An orphaned young polar bear has tragically died while playfully fighting with his foster brother at the Calgary Zoo.
Seven-year-old Baffin was training in his enclosure with eight-year-old Siku when staff members suddenly noticed he was nowhere to be seen.
After a few minutes of investigation, they discovered him dead in the lower pool of the compound.
Necropsy results confirmed that Baffin suffered a crushing injury to his trachea that caused him to drown.
The results also confirmed that the bear was in “excellent physical condition and there was no evidence of heat-related stress (hyperthermia).”
Baffin, a seven-year-old polar bear, tragically died while playfully wrestling with his foster brother at the Calgary Zoo.
Jamie Dorgan, Interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer of the Zoo saying‘Baffin was not seen for a few minutes… shortly after we were able to get him out of the pool.
“Baffin died in the pool… Obviously, it is a huge shock for our staff and volunteers to learn of this incredibly surprising situation today.”
The heartbroken chief executive added that the zoo is doing everything it can to support staff and volunteers shocked by the sudden death.
‘Our animal care specialists have very close relationships with these animals, they are like family to them – most of these people spend more time with their animals than with their own families.
Necropsy results confirmed that Baffin suffered a crushing injury to his trachea that caused him to drown.
The results also confirmed that the bear was in “excellent physical condition and there was no evidence of heat-related stress (hyperthermia).”
“These polar bears have been a fantastic addition here and we were so excited to give them a great home. Considering everything seemed normal before, it’s very, very shocking, as any sudden death in a family,” she told viewers.
The bears were orphaned as cubs before conservation officers spotted them wandering near Churchill, Manitoba.
Due to their young age, they were moved to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, where they lived with seven other polar bears.
After six years, the duo was relocated to Calgary last October, becoming the first polar bears at the zoo since 1999.
The bears were orphaned as cubs before conservation officers spotted them wandering near Churchill, Manitoba.
After six years, the duo were relocated to Calgary last October, making them the first polar bears at the zoo since 1999.
Colleen Baird, director of animal care, health and welfare at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, said: ‘Baffin and Siku shared a long history as long-time habitat mates and enjoyed a companionable relationship, which is why they were chosen to come to Calgary from the Assiniboine Park Zoo.
‘They displayed many natural polar bear behaviors, including daily play in and out of the water.
‘The type and intensity of play on the day of the incident did not appear to be different than the type of play his caregivers witnessed on a daily basis.’
Siku is currently being closely monitored by the zoo’s Animal Care, Health and Welfare team.
(tags to translate)dailymail