Polar bear sent to zoo after Churchill attack named 'Storm'
Bear attacked man in September and shipped to Winnipeg rather than euthanized
A polar bear shipped to the Winnipeg zoo after attacking a man in Churchill has finally been given a name.
The Assiniboine Park Zoo announced Friday the three-year-old male bear that arrived Oct. 9 is now formally known as Storm.
- Polar bear that attacked man in Churchill arrives in Winnipeg
- Winnipeg zoo to get new polar bear
- Winnipeg man wards off polar bear with cellphone
The name was chosen after a school-wide naming contest was held at Duke of Marlborough School in Churchill. "Storm" was submitted by Grade 3 student Brindi Botelho.
“We felt that it was important to have the kids in Churchill select the name for the bear. That’s where he came from, he’s their polar bear,” said Brian Joseph, director of zoological operations at the zoo.
“The school did an excellent job and we couldn’t be happier with their selection.”
"Storm was chosen by Brindi because it’s the name of our school mascot and our sports team logo,” said school principal Darren Kinden.
“Our selection committee felt that it was a great name for the polar bear because of its local significance, plus for most of our winter months we experience a multitude of storms.”
- Winnipeg zoo reveals new, adorable polar bear cub
- Assiniboine Park Zoo adopts 11-month-old polar bear cub
The zoo has also asked the school to name the newest polar bear cub to arrive at the International Polar Bear Conservation Centre. The 11-month-old female made the trip from Churchill earlier this week after being found wandering near the airport.
Both bears are currently under a standard 30-day quarantine period at the zoo.
Details on when they will be introduced to the community will be made public when available.