Two new polar bears, Taïga and Ganuk, arrive at the Aquarium du Québec

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:23:00 EST

Press Release
Sépaq

Quebec City, November 10, 2011 - Employees of the Aquarium du Québec are feverishly preparing for the arrival of two young polar bears, slated for November 16. The new boarders, who’ll be two years old this coming November 30, were born in captivity at the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien.

Two healthy cubs

Taïga, a handsome female weighing 161 kg, will become part of the permanent animal collection of the Aquarium du Québec. For his part, Ganuk, who already tips the scales at 206 kg, will stay with her for about a year. This is more or less the norm for cubs, who typically leave their mothers at around two years of age. In the wild, this is when the mother will expel her little ones so that they can become adults.

A major asset for the reproduction program

Although Ganuk’s future destination remains to be seen, Taïga is already scheduled to reunite with Eddy after her brother’s departure. In 2009, the polar bears’ outdoor space was divided into two sections, to provide a future “maternity ward” for dearly departed Tiguak, who passed away last spring. With Taïga’s arrival, we can once again contemplate a special reproduction program at the Aquarium du Québec. However, the program will remain on hold until Taïga reaches sexual maturity, which normally happens at about the age of five. Until then, the male and the female will have ample time to get to know one another, gradually, without any rush.

Reassuring expertise

It should be recalled that animal guides from the former Jardin zoologique du Québec, who received the cubs’ mother, Aisaqvak the orphan, are now part of the Aquarium du Québec team. What’s more, Eddy, the male, and our sorely missed Tiguak were also cubs when they arrived at the Aquarium du Québec in 2002. As such, thanks to its facilities and the expertise of its personnel, the Aquarium du Québec will be able to ensure a smooth transition for the cubs.

Taïga and Ganuk will at first be kept in quarantine until they have adapted to their new environment and their state of health has been assessed. Their new public will have a chance to meet them in the very near future.

Aquarium du Québec in Mourning

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:22:00 EDT

Press Release
Sépaq

Québec - It is with great sadness that the management of the Aquarium du Québec announces the death of Tiguak, a female polar bear that has been part of the Aquarium’s animal collection since 2002.

Tiguak died of respiratory failure during a routine dental procedure that required a general anaesthetic. Under the supervision of Dr. Stéphane Lair, professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Saint-Hyacinthe, a team of five veterinarians, four animal health technicians, and support staff, including trainers and biologists, surrounded the bear at the time of her death, this morning at 10:42 a.m.

All members of the Aquarium du Québec staff were saddened when they were briefed with the news at lunchtime. Marine mammals are very interactive and endearing, as much for the staff and volunteers as for the visitors, and such a sudden departure has stirred up strong emotions.

The body of the animal was taken to the laboratory of the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ), where an autopsy will be performed to find out more about the causes of death.

Scientists estimate that there are only approximately 20,000 and 25,000 polar bears left in the world. The lifespan for polar bears in nature is between 15 to 18 years, and generally 25 years in captivity. The polar bear is on the list of vulnerable species and at the heart of the Aquarium’s protection and conservation mission. Tiguak was born on October 30, 1999 at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.

Nouvelles de Aquarium du Québec

Two new polar bears, Taïga and Ganuk, arrive at the Aquarium du Québec

Two healthy cubs

A major asset for the reproduction program

Reassuring expertise

Aquarium du Québec in Mourning