Three Female Polar Bears Now Living Together

On Tuesday, an important milestone was reached in the lives of our polar bears when Venus was introduced into the same enclosure as Inuvik and Kara.

Inuvik and Kara arrived in Ranua last December following the completion of the polar bear habitat renovation and have spent the past six months together. Venus, meanwhile, has gradually become familiar with her new neighbours through scents, sounds and visual contact across the enclosure barriers, so the bears were not complete strangers before the introduction.

The bears’ different personalities were evident during their first meeting. Kara observed the situation from a distance, while Inuvik and Venus engaged in some classic polar bear social testing. As life together begins, establishing daily routines takes time, and finding one’s place within the group, along with occasional social testing, is a natural part of the process.

Back at the familiar pool, Venus quickly returned to some of her favourite activities – playing with a large ball in the water and diving for treats at the bottom of the pool.

All three females were born in European zoological institutions and were selected to live in Ranua through the European polar bear EEP conservation programme.

The bears’ shared life will continue to be monitored closely as the new group develops its own daily routines.

Polar bears can be seen daily at the wildlife park. Throughout the summer, visitors can learn more about them during keeper talks and through various polar bear-themed events and activities.