Zoo’s Longtime Resident, Zero The Polar Bear,
To Leave For Seneca Park Zoo

Zero the polar bear

One of the Milwaukee County Zoo’s more popular residents, polar bear Zero, will be transferred to the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York, in order to help procreate this important and highly threatened species. The transfer will take place by the end of January.

Because Zero and his companion, Snow Lilly, have not produced offspring at the Milwaukee County Zoo over the past four years, the Polar Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP) has recommended the transfer. The SSP is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (of which the Milwaukee County Zoo is an accredited member) and sets forth guidelines for managing the captive animal populations within the North American accredited zoos and aquariums. The management of the animals is vital for ensuring that healthy, genetically diverse populations are sustained.

As part of the Seneca Park collection, Zero will be paired with a viable female; in the hope offspring will be produced (the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Seneca Park Zoo would share ownership of any future offspring).

Zero was born at the Milwaukee County Zoo December 14, 1989, and his charismatic and playful behaviors have become popular with visitors and staff alike.

Because Zero’s genes eventually may be passed on to future generations through breeding, this only helps to conserve the species, and draw attention to the desperate plight wild polar bears now face in a changing global environment. The Zoo hopes to eventually add another polar bear, to be on exhibit with 25-year-old Snow Lilly.

Update (January 21):  We're glad to report that Zero arrived safely this morning at his new home at the Seneca Park Zoo.