Polar bears Aleut (front) and Gregor (back) getting to know their new home. In the Warsaw Zoo, they can now start the necessary reconstruction of the exposition there. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Two polar bears from the Warsaw Zoo arrived at the Prague Zoo yesterday evening. Thirteen-year-old twins Gregor and Aleut came to Prague based on the recommendation of the European breeding coordinator of this species. Her decision follows the March departure of the Prague male Tom to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to find a potential mate. It was in his former exposition that the newly arrived brothers moved in. On Wednesday, May 22 at 11:30 a.m., the Prague Zoo will officially welcome them.
“The arrival of Gregor and Aleut is directly related to the fact that a new modern exhibit for polar bears will be created at the Prague Zoo, in other words, that we are prospective breeders of these animals,” said the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek. “Both bears are now getting to know their new environment. Visitors will be able to watch them from Monday.”
Aleut (left) and Gregor (right) were born on December 2nd at the Nuremberg Zoo to male Felix and female Vera and have lived in Warsaw Zoo in Poland since 2013. Although they are now adults, they are still very playful and have a close relationship as twins. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
The twins Gregor and Aleut were born on December 2, 2010 in the Nuremberg Zoo, but since April 18, 2013 they lived in the Warsaw Zoo. While Gregor is more powerful and the Polish breeders nicknamed him Grzes, his brother Aleut or Ali can be recognized by his taller stature and overall slimmer appearance.
“Thanks to the newly arrived bear brothers, the people of Prague and other visitors to our zoo have the opportunity to observe polar bears even while we are preparing the construction of the Arctic exhibit. It is here that these animals, iconic for the Prague Zoo and also very endangered, will find a new home. The Arctic, the construction of which should begin this year, will provide polar bears with first-class conditions for raising their cubs and will attract visitors from all over the world,” said the deputy mayor, Mr. City of Prague for the environment Jana Komrsková.
Gregor takes a bath in his new exhibit at the Prague Zoo and washes off the greenish stains he got during yesterday’s transport by rubbing against the Polish transport crate. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
The welcome of the two bear brothers, combined with a photo opportunity for the media, will take place on Wednesday, May 22, from 11:30 a.m. Journalists can be accredited by email at masek@zoopraha.cz. Visitors can look forward to a thematic gaming station.
Temporary barriers have been installed around the exhibition glasses since today, thanks to which the bears will get better used to the presence of dogs in the area – they are not used to them from the Polish metropolis. This temporary measure will not reduce visitor comfort in any way.