The polar bear cubs, born on 27 November 2024, have undergone their first-ever veterinary examination. The procedure lasted just 4 minutes, including a body weight measurement and sex determination. The little male polar bears weigh between 14 and 14 kg.
The Nyíregyháza Zoo has been keeping polar bears since 2003, but until now there was no space available for breeding.2024- In 2024, the Ice World Interactive Exhibition was opened, which was primarily created to serve as a breeding centre for the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) polar bear conservation program. The specially designed polar bear habitat, which consists of 3 large enclosures, refrigerated inside area, a birthing room and a large air-conditioned enclosure, was opened in mid-May last year with the arrival of a male polar bear from Karlsruhe.
Snyezsana, who has been with us since 2017 and arrived from the Moscow Zoo at the age of 3, was so happy to welcome Llyod that the first mating took place on the day they met. The love affair lasted for about a week, after which the 2 animals were separated and Snyezsana lived with our young male, Fiete, who was good friends with her. However, at the end of the summer, she showed signs of withdrawal and was moved to the separate baby-mama inside area, where she was welcomed by a run and a separate birthing room (cave) that were not open to guests.
The animal finally retired to the den at the end of November, started building a straw nest and on 27 November 2024, the 2 little polar bear cubs were born.
As cameras monitor the entire polar bear enclosure, we were able to record the birth itself and the subsequent growth of the cubs 24 hours a day, a rare feat in the world. This is a great help for scientists working on the survival of the species.