Detroit Zoo Welcomes New Polar Bear – Kali

Detroit Zoo welcomes new polar bear – Kali

(Detroit Zoo, February 3, 2026)

Royal Oak, MI – There is a new polar bear on the town – and he is already making an impression.

The Detroit Zoo, a world chief in polar bear conservation and residential to one of many largest polar bear habitats in North America, has collaborated with the Toledo Zoo on a rigorously coordinated switch designed to help the long-term sustainability of polar bear populations in accredited zoos world wide. As a part of the transfer, Detroit resident Nuka moved to Toledo, whereas Toledo resident Kali (Cull-ee) now calls the Detroit Zoo’s iconic Arctic Ring of Life habitat.

The switch follows suggestions from the Polar Bear Inhabitants Alliance, strengthens the well being and social dynamics of every zoo’s polar bear populations and helps accountable breeding efforts crucial to the way forward for the species.

“This profitable switch displays the collaboration of our groups in Detroit and Toledo, in addition to a shared dedication to animal welfare and conservation,” stated Mike Murray, Chief Life Sciences Officer of the Detroit Zoo. “Nuka is an unbelievable polar bear, and we all know he’ll proceed to do nicely in Toledo, the place he’ll as soon as once more be paired with the feminine polar bear Crystal. Right here in Detroit, Kali is already establishing himself, and we all know he will probably be a wonderful ambassador for his species and a beautiful addition to the polar bear group.”

Kali, 13, was rescued as a cub after being discovered orphaned in 2013 by residents of the native village of Level Lay, Alaska. Kali was subsequently launched into the care of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2015, he moved to the Saint Louis Zoo, earlier than lastly transferring to the Toledo Zoo in 2025. Kali is thought for his energy and cleverness to resolve puzzles that profit his enrichment and well-being – and his caregivers describe him as sociable, curious and clever.

Kali now shares a habitat with females Suka, 13, and Haley, 23. Below the supervision of the zoo’s knowledgeable animal care crew, Kali will progressively be launched to Haley and Suka, with the bears initially spending time on both facet of their spacious 10-acre habitat. Kali can have entry to his outside public habitat, however may select to spend time indoors or out of public view as he adjusts to his new residence.

Polar bears within the wild face growing threats, together with local weather change, shrinking sea ice and growing battle with people. By welcoming Kali and supporting Nuka by this switch, the Detroit Zoo continues to attach company with this iconic species and encourage significant conservation motion to guard wildlife and the habitats they name residence.

The Detroit Zoo appears to be like ahead to sharing Kali’s journey with the neighborhood, and company can welcome him to the Arctic Ring of Life habitat in the course of the zoo’s common hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – and starting April 1 from 9 a.m. to five p.m. Extra data at http://www.detroitzoo.org

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