A polar bear that died at the Calgary Zoo last week drowned after some rough play with a fellow polar bear.
Those details were released by the Wilder Institute and Calgary Zoo on Tuesday following a necropsy (an examination of the animal following its death.)
The examination determined that Baffin died by drowning, after suffering an injury to his trachea by another polar bear, Siku, during rough play.
It’s presumed that Baffin lost consciousness underwater due to the injury and subsequently drowned.
The necropsy also confirmed no evidence of heat-related stress.
“Although the necropsy results are conclusive about the cause of Baffin’s death, they offer little solace to our team that loved Baffin so deeply”, said Colleen Baird, Director of Animal Care, Health & Welfare at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo.
Baffin and Siku were rescued as orphaned cubs and spent time at the Assiniboine Park Zoo’s Journey to Churchill Habitat.
They were transferred to the Calgary Zoo last fall.
“Baffin and Siku shared a long history as longtime habitat mates and enjoyed a companionate relationship, which is why they were chosen to come to Calgary from Assiniboine Park Zoo,” said Baird, who added the polar bears displayed many natural behaviours including play.
“The type and intensity of play on the day of the incident appeared to be no different than the type of play their caregivers witnessed from them on a daily basis.”
The Calgary Zoo says that Siku is being closely monitored by the Animal Care, Health & Welfare Team.