Pair of Winnipeg polar bears set to move to Calgary Zoo

Two polar bears are moving from the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg to the Calgary Zoo/Wilder Institute.

The two male bears, Baffin and Siku, were orphaned at less than a year of age and found wandering in Churchill, Man.

Research has indicated that polar bear cubs less than a year old cannot survive on their own, so the decision was made to bring them into human care, the zoo said in a release. 

Baffin is now six years old and Siku is seven.

They are scheduled to be moved later this year to Calgary, where officials believe they will thrive in a smaller group setting and receive more individual attention.

The bears will live in the Calgary zoo's newly reconstructed Wild Canada zone.

The habitat, set to open in December, includes tree-filled grassy meadows, rock features, several pools ranging in depth from three to five metres, a wading stream and an unobscured view of the horizon, the zoo said. 

"Human-caused climate change is threatening polar bear habitat," said Jamie Dorgan, interim CEO of the Calgary Zoo/Wilder Institute.

"These rescued bears will receive exceptional care and continue to act as ambassadors for their wild counterparts, helping connect people to nature in ways that encourage them to take stronger action than ever before to protect wildlife and wild places."