Aleut and Gregor arrived in Prague

15.5.2024 – Source/Quelle: Prague Zoo

Two polar bears from Warsaw Zoo arrived to Prague Zoo last night. Thirteen-year-old twins Gregor and Aleut came to Prague on the recommendation of the European coordinator of the breeding of this species. Her decision follows the departure in March of the Prague male, Tom, to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in search of a potential mate. It was in his former exhibit that the newly arrived brothers moved in. Zoo Prague will officially welcome them on Wednesday 22 May at 11.30am.

See how the arrival of the bear brothers went and how they spent their first moments at Zoo Prague.

The twin bears were still frolicking in the water at one o’clock at night. In the photo Gregor is washing off the greenish stains he got during the transport by rubbing against a Polish crate.

Polar bears Gregor and Aleut had free access to the exposition facilities and one of the enclosures throughout the night, where they also spent most of the night together. In the morning, they were then introduced to the other outdoor enclosure during daylight hours and now have access to all outdoor and indoor areas.

Gregor (left) and Aleut (right) were born on December 2, 2010 at Nuremberg Zoo to male Felix and female Vera and have lived at Warsaw Zoo in Poland since 2013. Although they are now adults, they are still very playful and as twins have a close relationship with each other.

The Warsaw keeper of the bear brothers will be staying with them until at least the weekend, and in this photo Gregor is meeting his new keeper, Denisa Zběhlik.

Although the leader of the pair is Aleut, according to their Polish keepers, the one who is the first to actively explore and fearlessly enter uncharted territories is Gregor (in the foreground left).

Gregor (left) and Aleut exploring the second part of the outdoor exhibit. In the Polish zoo they had a classic enclosure with a ditch and were quite distant from visitors. The bears have to get used to the glass, as well as the close presence of visitors, gradually. Therefore, initially, temporary barriers will be installed around the exhibit glass. Also, they are not used to the presence of dogs from the Polish capital – they will also be gradually accustomed to them and it is possible that temporary measures will initially be put in place in the vicinity of the exposition.

Gregor is testing the pool in the second enclosure and touching new toys.

Both brothers are visibly enjoying themselves in the water. In the morning they managed to drop a bucket of mackerel into one of the pools, thus providing entertainment for part of the day.

The diving brother is Gregor.