Polar Bear Twins Have Arrived at Prague Zoo
Two polar bears from Warsaw Zoo arrived at Prague Zoo last Tuesday night. The thirteen-year-old twins, Gregor and Aleut, came to Prague on the basis of a recommendation from the European breeding coordinator for this species. Her decision ties in with the departure in March of the Prague male, Tom, to Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he has a potential mate. The newly arrived brothers were housed in Tom’s former enclosure. Prague Zoo will officially welcome them on Wednesday May 22nd, at 11.30am.
Polar bears Aleut (front) and Gregor (back) getting to know their new home. Warsaw Zoo can now begin some much-needed reconstruction of their polar bear enclosure. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s director, said, “The arrival of Gregor and Aleut is directly connected to the fact that a new, modern polar bear enclosure will be built at Prague Zoo, in other words, we will most likely be breeding them here. Both bears are now getting to know their new environment. Visitors will be able to watch them from Monday.”
Gregor and Aleut were born in Nuremberg Zoo on December 2nd, 2010, however, they have been living in Warsaw Zoo since April 18th, 2013. While Gregor, nicknamed Grzes by his Polish keepers, is the stockier of the twins, his brother Aleut or Ali is taller and generally slimmer.
Aleut (left) and Gregor (right) were born at Nuremberg Zoo to Felix and Vera on 2 December 2010 and have been living 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 one another. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Jana Komrsková, Prague Council’s Deputy for the Environment, said, “Thanks to the newly arrived bear brothers, Prague’s residents and other visitors to our zoo can see the polar bears even whilst we are preparing the construction of the Arctic exhibit. This is where these iconic and highly endangered animals will find a new home. The construction of the Arctic exhibit should begin this year and it will provide the polar bears with first-class conditions for rearing cubs as well as attracting visitors from all over the world.”
The polar bear brothers will be welcomed on Wednesday, May 22nd, at 11.30, and this will be combined with a photo opportunity for the media. Journalists can obtain accreditation for the event by emailing masek@zoopraha.cz. Visitors can also enjoy themed gaming stations.
Gregor bathing in his new exhibit at Prague Zoo as he washes off the greenish stains he got during his transport when he rubbed up against the Polish transport crate. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
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