Polar Bear Cub Has a Name!
April 27, 2010 - The birth of a polar bear cub in December 2009 was a very special event for The Toledo Zoo—and the cub needed a very special name. The Zoo, in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund, Polar Bears International, and the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management, invited children from the communities on the North Slope in Alaska to submit potential names for the little fellow. When visitors meet the cub later this spring they can call him by his name—Siku!
Over 80 students submitted names, and the top three names were sent to The Toledo Zoo. The large mammal staff then chose Siku (pronounced “See-Koo”), which means “ice” in the Iñupiat language—a fitting name for a species that relies on the Arctic ice shelf for hunting. Siku was submitted by Isaiah Rexford, a fourth-grader from Harold Kaveolook School in Kaktovik, Alaska. Isaiah will receive a $500 gift certificate to a local community store and a Canada Goose jacket, presented by the participating organizations, all of whom are part of the Polar Bear Sustainability Alliance. Two runners-up also received Canada Goose jackets, and assorted prizes will be presented to all students that entered.
Siku and Crystal have emerged from their den, and Siku is exploring the behind-the-scenes areas of his Arctic Encounter® home. The Zoo’s animal care staff is monitoring his progress as he builds up his strength in the habitat’s dig yard and in a special pool designed just for newborn cubs. When his behavior indicates that he’s ready to be introduced to the on-exhibit areas in the Arctic Encounter®, visitors will be able to say hello to Siku!
According to The Toledo Zoo’s Executive Director, Dr. Anne Baker, the cub “represents an important step in the preservation of this species, whose future is in jeopardy as more and more of its Arctic habitat is lost to climate change. Siku will serve as a terrific ambassador for his counterparts in the wild. We’re very pleased to be working with other conservation organizations and the people of the Arctic region to help raise awareness about the need to conserve these majestic creatures.”
Press Release Contact Name: Toledo Zoo
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: The Toledo Zoo
Website or Link: www.toledozoo.org
Organization Address: 2 Hippo Way, Toledo, OH, 43609