Toledo Zoo Announces Exciting Polar Bear Conservation Efforts
Mar 5, 2025
TOLEDO, Ohio – March 5, 2025 – The Toledo Zoo is proud to announce its continued commitment to polar bear conservation through an important breeding recommendation for Crystal, our beloved 26-year-old polar bear. As part of a collaborative effort within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Zoo has welcomed Kali (pronounced Kah-lee), a male polar bear from the Saint Louis Zoo, to Toledo.
This move is part of a carefully planned effort to ensure the health and genetic diversity of polar bears. Crystal, who has successfully raised nine cubs in her lifetime, has received what is expected to be her final breeding recommendation. If successful, any cubs born would remain with their mother for approximately two years, similar to her previous litters.
At the same time, Kallik (Kah-leek) and Kallu (Kah-loo), Crystal’s twin cubs born on Nov. 11, 2022, were relocated together to the Saint Louis Zoo, where they will have the opportunity to continue thriving in a new environment. The transition plan was carefully developed by animal care teams at both institutions to ensure the health and well-being of all bears involved.
"The Toledo Zoo remains deeply committed to polar bear research, conservation and public education," said Michael Frushour, general curator of endotherms at the Toledo Zoo. "We know Kallik and Kallu will continue being fantastic ambassadors and these transfers represent an important step for this species’ long-term sustainability. We’re excited to welcome Kali to Toledo and hope this new breeding opportunity will contribute new genetics within the AZA polar bear population.”
Kali, an adored 12-year-old bear at the Saint Louis Zoo, was rescued as an orphaned cub in Alaska and placed in the care of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 2013. For nearly a decade in Saint Louis, he has served as an ambassador for his species, educating the public about the challenges polar bears face in the wild.
Now that he’s arrived at Toledo Zoo, Kali is undergoing a careful acclimation process and will gradually be introduced to Crystal under the guidance of the Zoo’s expert animal care team.
Due to the Arctic Encounter exhibit undergoing maintenance, the polar bears will not be visible to the public until further notice. Updates will be posted to our website and social media.
To learn more about Toledo Zoo’s animal collection, exhibits and upcoming events, visit toledozoo.org.
About the Toledo Zoo
The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, situated in Toledo, Ohio, proudly holds membership in the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Boasting a diverse collection, the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium is home to more than 16,000 individual animals spanning 680+ species. Actively engaged in conservation efforts, the Zoo participates in over 80 species survival programs. With a robust community of over 78,000 active membership households, the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium welcomes about 1.1 million visitors annually.
About “Honoring our past. Envisioning our future.”
“Honoring our past. Envisioning our future.” is the 125th-anniversary campaign for the Toledo Zoo, commemorating 125 years of conservation, education and community connection. Since its inception in 1900, the Toledo Zoo has grown from a modest collection of animals into a world-renowned zoological institution.Throughout the 2025 calendar year, the Toledo Zoo will host a series of special events, exhibits, and programs to honor this remarkable milestone. These celebrations will highlight the Zoo’s historic achievements, ongoing conservation efforts and ambitious plans for the future. Visitors can look forward to engaging experiences that connect them to the Zoo’s mission of inspiring people to care about wildlife and natural environments.Join us in 2025 to celebrate this extraordinary milestone and help shape the next chapter of the Toledo Zoo’s incredible legacy.
