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MEET OUR POLAR BEARS AND EXPERIENCE THE RENEWED POLAR BEAR AREA
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The majestic ruler of the Arctic Polar Bear
The polar bear is the majestic ruler of the Arctic wilderness. Its living conditions are constantly deteriorating due to climate change, as the Arctic region is warming four times faster than the rest of the globe. The shrinking ice cover makes it harder for polar bears to find food and drives them further inland, which can lead to dangerous encounters with humans.
Our wildlife park is home to three polar bears – the only ones of their kind in Finland. Our beloved polar bears and around 50 other species from the Arctic and northern regions are safe and protected here with us. Our job is to care for and raise species that can no longer live safely in their natural habitats.
Of course, we hope that polar bears and all other endangered and threatened animals will have a place to live in the wild. We do this work for two reasons: to protect these animal species and to convey an important message to our visitors about the importance of biodiversity.
Your visit to our wildlife park is important. Every visit to our wildlife park supports our conservation work, also financially. Let’s work together to protect polar bears and ensure that none of our animals are the only ones of their kind on the future.
Find out more about polar bearsGet to know our polar bear trio
Venus was born on 9 December 2004 at Rostock Zoo in Germany, from where she arrived in Ranua together with her sister Valeska. Since then, Ranua has been Venus’s home for 20 years. Most of her life was spent with the late male polar bear Manasse, with whom Venus had two adorable cubs and has since also become a grandmother.
For the time being, Venus lives in her own enclosure, but there are plans to eventually try introducing her to the new polar bear area to live alongside Kara and Inuvik.
Venus can be identified by the notch in her right ear.
Kara is a young female polar bear who arrived from Mulhouse Zoo in France in December 2025. She was born in November 2020.
Kara is spirited and playful, especially when interacting with various toys and enrichment items, and she explores her surroundings with great curiosity. We noticed this already during her first week in Ranua, as Kara immediately began exploring the area boldly and inquisitively. She easily throws herself into playful snow activities in all kinds of weather.
Kara’s fur is thinner than that of the other polar bears in the park, and at the moment she can be distinguished from the others by her whiter colouring. The animal keepers are closely monitoring the condition of her coat and expect it to grow thicker for the next winter.
Inuvik is a female polar bear who arrived from Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark in December 2025. She was born in December 2019. Her mother is Noel and her father is Nord – the same male who lived in Ranua for a short time after Inuvik was born.
According to the keepers, Inuvik is a social, active and pleasant bear who enjoys the company of others, although she can sometimes be a little short-tempered. Compared to Kara, Inuvik is calmer and likes to sit quietly while observing what is happening around her, altough water play seems to be the most fun for her.
Inuvik, who thrives in the shared enclosure, can also be distinguished from Kara by her fuller, more robust appearance.
More comfort, safety, and visibility The renewed Polar Bear area
The extensive renovation of the polar bear enclosure is finally complete. The modernized area offers even more impressive views of the fascinating world of the northern apex predator.
The renovation provides the polar bears with more spacious, comfortable, and safer living conditions. For example, some of the old concrete fences in the enclosure have been replaced with mesh fencing, which allows for better ventilation and visibility from the enclosure.
In addition, caves have been built in the area where polar bears can retreat to calm down, as well as a new care facility that greatly facilitates the work of animal keepers.
The public walkways have also been renovated and their views improved. Now, visitors can see the bears from a high walkway as well as from ground level, right next to the fence.
The renovation of the polar bear area is part of Ranua Resort’s long-term development work, in which we strive to continuously improve the well-being and safety of the animals and staff, as well as the visitor experience.
Protecting the Arctic ecosystem One of a Kind campaign
Our polar bears are part of the polar bear Ex-situ conservation programme coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The programme aims to increase knowledge about polar bears, the Arctic ecosystem, and especially the threats that climate change poses to the species and their natural habitat.
Thanks to our northern conditions, Ranua Wildlife Park has been able to provide researchers with an authentic environment for testing research methods. By analysing a polar bear’s snowy paw print, researchers were able to confirm the presence of DNA and identify individual polar bears.
Through the One of a Kind campaign, we want to highlight the urgent importance of protecting the Arctic region and preserving its biodiversity for all of us.
Learn more about EAZA on their website
Encounters that deepen understanding and inspire protection Working together for polar bears
Seeing polar bears is a powerful experience – and at the same time an opportunity to deepen understanding of their lives and the Arctic environment.
The conservation education content presented in the area explores polar bears’ habitat, behaviour, and the impacts of climate change on the species. The aim is to increase understanding, strengthen people’s connection to nature, and encourage environmentally responsible choices.
We develop our conservation education in collaboration with Polar Bears International. Polar Bears International is a global expert organization dedicated to the conservation of polar bears, combining research, conservation efforts, and outreach to protect Arctic wildlife.
This collaboration is reflected not only in the development of educational content, but also in the ongoing exchange of knowledge and expertise. We make use of their up-to-date information in our digital content and through international awareness days.
The collaboration will continue to grow in the future, guided by a shared commitment to the conservation of polar bears and their habitat.
Learn more about Polar Bears International on their websiteVideos of our polar bears
Watch more videos on our YouTube channel
