Alaska – Introduction of polar bear Kova

10.11.2023 – Source: Alaska Zoo, Photos by John Gomes

Meet Kova the polar bear! She made her first appearance for zoo members in the main habitat at a members-only event held on June 4th.

Her story: Kova was removed by biologists from the Prudhoe Bay, Alaska area on the North Slope. She was living near the oil production crew barracks, was trying to break into dumpsters to eat trash and was underweight with no mother in the area. After searching for her to no avail, biologists felt there was a significant welfare risk and made the decision to bring the cub to the zoo.

kova7

kova2

Zoo members chose her name (means ‘strong’ in Inuit) and we could not be happier to see her enjoying the big pool.

kova4

The polar bear fur can’t possibly be whiter than this!!

kova6

I think there’s a new toy for me …

kova8

Oh yeah, an exciting red thingie!

kova11

Cranbeary was shifted into the off-view area while Kova explored (and Cranbeary munched on grass!).

kova9

kova10

kova1

They will be alternating times in the main habitat until they are used to each other and fully introduced.

We will post more on this soon ….

kova3

…. but for now…WELCOME, KOVA!

kova5

John Gomes Photography

6 Comments

  1. Dear Mervi and dear John!
    I am happy that Kova was rescued in time and not has been killed or poisoned by the rubbish she ate. She is now getting enough to eat, is being spoilt with toys and will probably settle in quickly. I hope that she will make friends with Cranbeary and that the two of them will play together.

    Thank you for this lovely report and the great photos!

    Hugs
    Anke

  2. Dear Mervi and John!
    Thank you for the pictures of Kova!
    It is great that she was rescued.
    Hugs
    Ludmila

  3. Vielen DANK für diesen schönen Beitrag, der mir das Herz erwärmt ❣
    KOVA ist eine sehr schöne Eisbärin, die ihr Leben nun genießen kann und in Cranbeary bestimmt eine Freundin findet… Alles GUTE für die beiden Weißen!@🤔🐻‍❄️😊

  4. Hello John,
    Hello Mervi,

    It’s good to hear that Kove’s story ended well and that she was found in time before she could have been shot as a danger to the residents.

    Hopefully she will be reunited with Cranbeary soon so that she doesn’t have to grow up so isolated as a kitten.

    Best wishes for her and best regards to you!
    Britta-Gudrun

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*