Toledo Zoo Provides Home to Brown Bears
TOLEDO, OHIO-- The Zoo is pleased to be able to provide a home for a rescued young male Kodiak bear. Dodge, about one year old and named after his human rescuer, Harry Dodge, an Alaskan hunt guide, has been introduced to the rescued one year old Yellowstone female grizzly cub sisters, Montana and Cody. In providing a home for Dodge, the Toledo Zoo has also entered into a partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the Kodiak Brown Bear Trust to educate the public about the plight of brown bears and the effects of human/wildlife conflict. “We would like to thank the Toledo Zoo for their willingness to commit to caring for the rescued Kodiak cub. It is a tremendous responsibility to commit to the long-term care, enrichment and public education that goes along with Dodge. We take placement of orphaned wildlife very seriously and are quite selective of facilities. While it is rare for Kodiak bears to be relocated from Alaska, we are proud to partner with the Toledo Zoo, such a well-respected organization known for providing exceptional animal care.” said Nathan Svoboda, Area Wildlife Biologist – Kodiak Archipelago, Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Dodge arrived at the Toledo Zoo in late October and all three bears went through quarantine periods and veterinary checks. Due to the young age of all the cubs, additional time was needed to acclimate the bears to each other, the Zoo environment and establish trust with animal care staff. According to Toledo Zoo’s assistant director of animal programs, Dr. Randi Meyerson, the ongoing acclimation process allows the bears to adjust to their new environment at their own pace. “It’s important for the young group to bond and all three bears are adapting very well. They are healthy, growing, displaying natural behaviors and interacting well as a group,” said Dr. Meyerson. The Zoo anticipates the bears will be viewable to the public this summer. Zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) do not breed brown bears. Accredited institutions reserve all brown bear exhibit areas as rescue space for bears unable to remain in the wild. Accredited zoos work in partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state wildlife agencies and other bear conservation organizations in placement of at-risk, nuisance and orphaned bears. In May of 2015, Dodge and his siblings were orphaned when their mother was shot by an unguided hunter on Kodiak Island. Luckily, a guided hunting group, including Harry Dodge, came across the deceased female bear, realized she was a mother and went in search of the cubs. The young cubs were then rushed to the Alaska Zoo for immediate care and rearing for approximately six months while arrangements were made for permanent homes. A zoo in Wisconsin had room to house two of the rescued bears and the Toledo Zoo provided a home and companionship for Dodge. The male and females came to the Zoo under differing and unfortunate circumstances, however, their stories share a common thread; their rescues were the results of conflicts with humans. The Zoo hopes that these bears will help visitors gain a better understanding of how humans and wildlife can and must co-exist.
Press Release Contact Name: Andi Norman
Press Release Contact Phone: 419-385-5721 ext. 2098
Organization Name: The Toledo Zoo