Polar bear cub Otis explores the outdoor enclosure

7.3.2024 – Source: Dierenrijk Nuenen

The polar bear cub has explored the outdoor enclosure at Dierenrijk for the first time together with its mother. The birth took place at the end of November, during the mother’s winter rest, in the special maternity room of the indoor enclosure. A unique moment, as it is the only polar bear born in Europe last year.

As soon as the door opened, mother Frimas came out with young polar bear Otis. Head zoo keeper Stephan Rijnen: “It always remains to be seen how long it takes for them to come out, but this went completely by the book!”

There are cameras in the enclosure and this allowed the zoo keepers to keep a close eye on how the little polar bear was doing. “We saw that the young bear was already standing firmly on its feet and was already exploring the indoor enclosure quite a bit. The little one was also playing with the food and a lot of playful energy was venting on the mother. It is a sign that it is time to explore the outside world,” Rijnen said.

In February, the animal caretakers were able to see through CCTV footage that the animal was a male. On social media, followers could help decide on the name. They chose the name Otis.

To mimic the situation in the wild as much as possible, a specially designed farrowing room has been connected to the indoor enclosure. Rijnen: “In the wild, the mother goes into hibernation for several months, and with a well-filled stomach, in a snow hole she has dug herself to give birth there. Upon awakening, she meets her young for the first time.”

Unique

The polar bear’s status in the wild is ‘vulnerable’. It means that if the polar bear’s natural habitat is not better protected, the species is at high risk of extinction. Zoos at the European level ensure a healthy reserve population. Each species has one coordinator from the management programme, and he critically examines both the genetic background of the animals, but also the space available for offspring in European zoos. Rijnen: “Only in Dierenrijk was a healthy polar bear born last year. It makes it extra unique!”

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The photos are screen shots from the video.