Zoo Babies in the Alaska Zoo 2023

15.7.2023 – Source: Alaska Zoo, Photos by John Gomes

Every year starting in May, the Alaska Zoo’s mission to help wildlife goes into full swing with the intake of orphaned and injured wildlife from all over Alaska.

Here are the stories of the 2023 Zoo Babies in chronological order based on arrival dates. Scroll to the bottom to see the location map of where these animals came from in Alaska:

Meet Kova: The zoo members have voted and the newest polar bear at the zoo is named Kova, meaning “strong” in Inuit. Her story: Kova was removed by biologists from the Prudhoe Bay, Alaska area on the North Slope in November of 2023. 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. Currently alternating times with Cranbeary until they can be fully introduced.

Wolverine kits: We had 3 wolverine brothers born at the zoo to resident parents Jumbo and Olga in February of 2023. They started to come out of the den where people could see them in April. In public view in the wolverine habitat across from polar bear.

Brown bear cub: A young and underweight brown bear cub was brought to us by biologists on 5/21/23. He was confiscated from a guide in Hood Bay (on Admiralty Island, Alaska) who had removed him from the wild illegally and kept in a cabin. He arrived emaciated but healthy. In public view in the orphaned cub facility.

Moose calves – total as of 7/12/23 is 5 calves: The zoo received a male moose calf from biologists on 5/24/23. He is from the Eagle River, Alaska area and was separated from his mother due to human contact. Biologists tried to reunite him with his mother twice, but she rejected him both times so he was brought to the zoo.

Then on 5/25/23, a female calf was brought to the zoo by biologists from the Soldotna, Alaska area. It is unknown what happened to her mother. She was only a day or two old when she arrived.

On 5/28/23, another calf (male) was received by biologists from Homer, Alaska. He was separated from his mother and was rejected by her twice when attempts were made to reunite them.

On 5/31/23, biologists brought in two more sibling moose calves from the Homer area. Their mother was killed and they needed immediate care. One of the sisters was in very poor condition and, despite all veterinary efforts, passed away. The other sister was introduced to the other three calves and is doing well.

On 5/31/23, biologists brought in a male calf from the Anchorage area whose mother was missing for a period of time due to undetermined reasons.

On 6/2/23, biologists brought in a female calf from the Nikiski area whose mother was missing, suspected that she was hit by a car. In public view in the infirmary yard. Feedings are at 11am and 4pm during public hours. Other feedings occur outside of zoo hours.

Grubby the opossum: Grubby became a celebrity in Homer, Alaska when she accidentally hitched a ride to Homer on a shipping container from Washington state. She went on the loose in town with a month long search ensuing. She was captured by a Homer police officer and transported to the zoo on 5/25/23.

Opossums are not native to Alaska so she is considered an invasive species. Zoo officials will plan whether she stays or goes to another zoo home. Currently in the zoo infirmary, not in full public view yet. Visitors who go on the viewing window trail by the infirmary may be able to see her if she is in the tree branches. Check zoo social media for updates!

Grubby’s Joeys: Biologists and citizens in Homer, Alaska started seeing juvenile opossums (called joeys) surfacing in town, the offspring of adult opossum Grubby who was on the loose in town for a few weeks prior. The opossum is not a native species to Alaska so ADFG biologists began a live trapping effort to safely capture all of the joeys and transport them to the zoo where homes at other zoos are lined up. Opossums are solitary as adults and cannot live in a communal zoo habitat. So far, the joeys at the zoo are doing well. Currently in the zoo infirmary, not in public view.

Black Bear Cub – arrived July 1st: Biologists from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game brought a juvenile black bear (cub of the year) to the zoo on July 1st after the mother was shot in Eagle River, Alaska. Currently in public view in the infirmary pens.

This map shows the approximate locations of where the animals listed above came from in Alaska. Since the zoo opened in 1969, we have received animals from virtually every area of Alaska. This map shows only 2023 and will be updated as more animals are received.

And it is worth noting before you read the stories below that the Alaska Zoo is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization which receives no operational funding from the federal, state or city sources. We rely on donations to bridge the gap when it comes to caring for orphans in the high season of the year. We hope you will consider donating to our cause.

You can donate here