Aug 12, 2008 6:50 pm US/Eastern
Anoki The Polar Bear Makes Her Debut At Md. Zoo
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
One of Baltimore's newest celebrities came out of hiding Tuesday.
Sally Thorner reports Anoki the polar bear greeted her adoring fans at the Maryland Zoo.
Anoki's not in Albuquerque anymore! She's been in Baltimore for a month, but was quarantined during the transition.
The Maryland Zoo's conservation manager says during that time, Anoki got to "date" Magnet.
Magnet is genetically important and therefore expected to do his part to get his species off the endangered list. Zoo officials hope the relationship between Magnet and Anoki will develop further during next spring's breeding season.
"We put the bears together and they let nature take its course. When they get sick of each other, they let us know and we separate them. Polar bears have delayed implantation so we won't actually know if a female is pregnant until several months later when she goes into her den and hopefully emerges with cubs," Rebecca Gullott with the Maryland Zoo said.
This has been designated the year of the polar bear. So far, Anoki's having a ball.
Zoo camp kids are learning about conservation in the Arctic, and the ill effects of global warming.
"I like how they can be on land or in the water," said Katelyn Martin.
If all goes swimmingly, the Maryland Zoo will do its part to help the polar bear survive, not only by inspiring the littlest conservationists, but by producing some polar bear cubs next winter.
You can now visit Anoki, Magnet and Alaska.
The Polar Bear Watch is just one of several conservation programs in full swing at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Through The Year: Most Popular Pet Slideshows
