Columbus Zoo Polar Bear to Move to New Home

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: September 30, 2021 12:45 pm

Kulu the polar bear explores his exhibit at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium prior to his move

Photo Credit: Amanda Carberry/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have announced that their polar bear, Kulu is preparing to move to another Midwest zoo accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Staff from both zoos are currently working together to coordinate the move. A keeper and veterinarian from the Columbus Zoo will move with Kulu to ensure that he is able to adjust smoothly at his new home. The date for his debut is yet to be determined.

Kulu was born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th 2019. Since then he has built up a large following and fans are encouraged to visit soon if they want one last visit with the polar bear.

Kulu the polar bear explores his exhibit at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium prior to his move

Photo Credit: Amanda Carberry/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommended the move of Kulu. He has now reached the age where in the wild he would naturally begin to move away from his mother.

Excitingly the move will free up space so that in the future the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium may welcome a male polar bear in the future to allow for further breeding. Kulu’s father Lee moved to Louisville zoo after the birth.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium have been a polar bear breeding powerhouse since they opened the Polar Frontier habitat in 2010.

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“Our devoted Animal Care team works extremely hard to provide the best quality care, and the resulting shared bonds between the animals and the keepers certainly makes it bittersweet to say goodbye anytime an animal leaves for a new facility. However, as in the case with Kulu, we also take great pride in joy in knowing that our care team has been a significant part of his journey to grow into a healthy young bear,” said Dr. Jan Ramer, Senior Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

“While Kulu will be missed tremendously, this is the necessary next step for him as he continues to develop into an adult bear, who has an important role to play in the future of his threatened species.”

Polar bears are listed as endangered due to climate change. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium support the survival of the polar bear having provided $250,000 for research in to the species in the Arctic.