Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo welcomes new polar bear, Yellé
Posted Mar 18, 2026 8:37 am.
Last Updated Mar 18, 2026 2:11 pm.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has welcomed a new polar bear to it’s family from Quebec.
Twenty-year-old Yellé arrived Tuesday from Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien, the zoo says, and is currently settling in during a required quarantine period.
He was born in 2005 at the Ouwehands Zoo in the Netherlands
“Welcoming any new arrival is always an exciting time, but Yellé’s arrival is especially meaningful for our team,” said Paul Woerner, animal care manager (Wild Canada). “We’ve been looking for the right companion for Siku, and having Yellé join our zoo family is a moment we’ve all been eagerly anticipating.”
Once his quarantine period is finished, Yellé will be introduced to 10-year-old Siku.
Siku has been without a partner since seven-year-old Baffin died by drowning after a play accident in July 2024.
The zoo says introduced will be carefully guided by animal care experts based on the bears’ behaviour and comfort.
“Our team has extensive experience in caring for polar bears and managing introductions,” said Woerner. The process will be gradual –starting with scent exchanges, then allowing the bears to see and interact with each other through a protective barrier, and eventually sharing space.
“Every step will be guided by careful observation and our knowledge of polar bear behavior to ensure the safety, comfort and wellbeing of both bears.”
Visitors to the zoo will be able to see Yellé in the Taylor Family Foundation Polar Bear Sanctuary starting in April.
