Great first birthday celebration for Anouk, the adored polar bear in Europe! The lovely cub, residing at Hamburg's Hagenbeck Zoo, enjoyed her special day filled with delectable treats and new toys.
Mom Victoria, joined in the fun, sharing the multi-layered birthday cake made of fish, mince, salmon oil, gelatine, and cream. Anouk, an energetic and curious little bear, seemed to have a ball, diving and jumping into the icy moat, which was chilly at 5 to 8 degrees. Her favorite toy du jour were a large, white buoy and a bright orange cube made from a fire hose.
Little Anouk, born on December 19, 2022, is a big deal in the world of polar bears. She's the first polar bear cub born at Hagenbeck Zoo in 21 years, and her parents, Victoria and Kap, are both well-known figures in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). Her genes are a rare find in the breeding program, contributing significantly to the genetic diversity of polar bears across Europe.
Currently, the polar bear population in the wild is estimated to be around 23,000 animals. Unfortunately, due to factors like climate change causing a loss of sea ice, the polar bear is considered an endangered species.
An awe-inspiring creature, Anouk can keep a crowd captivated for hours at the adjacent glass window of the Arctic Ocean exhibit. Vet Flügger describes her as 'incredibly playful, open-minded, and curious.' Since her birth, Anouk has grown from the size and weight of a guinea pig to an impressive 111 kilograms.
As for Anouk's name, it was chosen after a public vote between four options: Smilla, Sunflower, Talvi, and Anouk. Sasha, a popular pop singer, finally sealed the deal, assigning the name 'Anouk' to the beloved polar bear cub.
Compared to the global attention that Berlin's polar bear, Knut, received, Anouk hasn't quite managed to capture the imagination of the public in the same way. Neither has the hoped-for 200,000 visitors per year. Instead, the zoo has experienced some internal disputes that have affected its visibility.
Despite these challenges, Hagenbeck Zoo hopes that Anouk, the precious European polar bear, will draw in many more visitors to the zoo. The privately-funded zoo, with 165 employees, is eager to regain public interest and continue its vital conservation efforts.
Interestingly, Anouk's birth contributes to the conservation of polar bears through preserved genetic diversity. Polar bears in zoos like Hagenbeck Zoo participate in breeding programs, which aim to maintain genetic diversity. In addition, they serve as valuable educational tools to raise public awareness about polar bears and the importance of conservation efforts.
