(SitNews) - A polar bear cub has been rescued after its mother was killed and has been provided a temporary home at the Alaska State Zoo.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today they received word that a female polar bear had been taken near Point Lay, Alaska on March 12th. The adult female was accompanied by a cub, which was recovered and transferred first to the community of Point Lay, and then to the North Slope Borough’s Department of Wildlife Management (DWM).

Polar bear cub“Kali”
Photo By John Gomes/Alaska Zoo

A health evaluation by the North Slope Borough’s Department of Wildlife Management reported the cub to be a young male weighing approximately 18.4 pounds and estimated to be 3-4 months of age.

The Alaska Zoo, located in Anchorage, was requested to arrange the transportation from Barrow and to provide for preliminary care and management of the cub. The cub is currently being held for observation at the Alaska Zoo, and appears to be responding well.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said they appreciate the many partners, including the people of Point Lay, the North Slope Borough, Alaska Airlines, the North Slope Borough Police Department, and the Alaska Zoo for their efforts in recovering, transporting, and caring for this young cub.

The people of Point Lay would like the cub to be named “Kali” (pronounced cully) which is the Inupiat name for Point Lay.

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Kali is currently not on display at the Alaska State Zoo. However, opportunities for public viewing will be determined at a later date by the USFWS.

Kali will not be a permanent resident at the Alaska Zoo, since the Zoo already has two adult polar bears. The final destination of the cub will be determined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after consideration of all options.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of Photograph:

Alaska State Zoo
www.alaskazoo.org/

Source of News: 

USFWS
www.fws.gov

 

SitNews ©2013
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources.