Saint Louis Zoo announces arrival of new female polar bear

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

ST. LOUIS, Mo., (KBSI) — The Saint Louis Zoo is preparing to welcome a new polar bear this fall as part of a breeding program aimed at protecting the threatened species.

Laerke, a 5-year-old female polar bear, is expected to arrive from Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington.

She will join Kallu, a nearly 4-year-old male polar bear, at the zoo’s McDonnell Polar Bear Point habitat.

According to the zoo, Laerke’s move follows a breeding recommendation from the Polar Bear Population Alliance, which works to support the long-term sustainability of polar bears in accredited zoos.

Zoo officials expect Laerke to make her public debut before the end of 2026. However, introductions between Laerke and Kallu will take time, and visitors may not see the two bears together in their habitat until early 2027.

Polar bears are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and face an increased risk of extinction in the wild.

The zoo says Laerke’s arrival is part of a collaborative effort among institutions accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help protect the species.

Additional information and photos of Laerke are available at https://stlzoo.org/laerke.