Oregon Zoo Polar Bear Meets Her New Friend

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: November 14, 2021 1:10 am

Amelia Gray and Nora the polar bears play together during their first meeting at Oregon Zoo

Photo Credit: Oregon Zoo

Amelia Gray, the newest resident of Oregon Zoo has met her half sister Nora for the first time since moving to the zoo from her former home recently. Since her arrival last month Amelia Gray has been given some time on her own to get used to the new polar bear passage habitat.

This week the pair were seen playing together, sparring and splashing together in their saltwater pool.

“Polar bear introductions can be very intense so we took it slowly at first,” said Amy Cutting, who oversees the zoo’s polar bear area. “But they made it very clear they wanted to be together, and their care team listened. Now the two are having a great time playing and hanging out. We’ll continue to keep a close eye on their interactions, but things are off to a great start.”

“They are getting on like a house on fire,” Cutting said. “We could not be happier for both of them.”

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The pair will call the Oregon Zoo’s new polar bear passage habitat, opened earlier this year, home. It includes two large habitats, saltwater pools and natural terrain for the bears to explore.

Their new habitat was made possible by a 2008 bond measure which supported 7 other projects as well.

“Polar bears are highly intelligent and playful with one another, but it’s important to have the option for ‘alone time,’ as well,” Cutting said. “Because of the way we designed this space, they can choose to spend time together or separate themselves.”

Oregon Zoo work with Polar Bears International, the U.S. Geological Survey and other partners to study how climate change is affecting polar bears.

Learn more about Polar Bears here – Polar Bear Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about the Oregon Zoo on their website – Oregon Zoo