A new polar bear has made its debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female from Oregon Zoo, explored the Great Bear Wilderness habitat for the first time on Wednesday.
“Amelia Gray has officially arrived and she’s already making a splash!” zoo officials said on Facebook. “This morning, the newest polar bear on the block took the plunge into her new habitat — literally. She’s been busy exploring, splashing around, and enjoying some favorite snacks like rib bones and [vegetation].”
She joins polar bears Hope and Hudson, although they have not yet been introduced.
Amelia Gray’s arrival will support the zoo’s efforts to understand the challenges facing polar bears in the wild and to find solutions to the species’ increasing threat of extinction.
Polar bear Amelia Gray, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female polar bear, is making her debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. She was transferred from Oregon Zoo with the hopes of polar bear cubs in the future.©Brookfield Zoo Chicago
The transfer to Brookfield also presents the possibility of polar bear cubs in the future.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago supports the cooperation among Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoos to maintain a sustainable and genetically diverse population of polar bears.
See more photos below.
Polar bear Amelia Gray, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female polar bear, is making her debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. She was transferred from Oregon Zoo with the hopes of polar bear cubs in the future.©Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Polar bear Amelia Gray, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female polar bear, is making her debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. She was transferred from Oregon Zoo with the hopes of polar bear cubs in the future.©Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Polar bear Amelia Gray, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female polar bear, is making her debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. She was transferred from Oregon Zoo with the hopes of polar bear cubs in the future.©Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Polar bear Amelia Gray, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female polar bear, is making her debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. She was transferred from Oregon Zoo with the hopes of polar bear cubs in the future.©Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Polar bear Amelia Gray, Brookfield Zoo Chicago
Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female polar bear, is making her debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. She was transferred from Oregon Zoo with the hopes of polar bear cubs in the future.©Brookfield Zoo Chicago
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