Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s 5-year-old polar bear, Laerke, is on the move.
Staff confirmed she will relocate to an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facility in the Midwest later this fall to breed with another polar bear.
Laerke first came to Point Defiance Zoo in 2023 as a 2-year-old cub, arriving alongside her twin sister, Astra. Astra was transferred to a different accredited zoo in 2025 under a separate breeding recommendation.
Shortly after being born at the Detroit Zoo, Laerke suffered a medical emergency that required intensive care, prompting staff to hand-raise her.
Female polar bears generally reach maturity between 4 and 6 years of age. Veterinarians at Point Defiance Zoo tracked Laerke’s fecal hormone levels over the past year, confirming signs of estrus cycling.
“It has been incredibly special to watch Laerke grow from a young bear into the cautious, gentle, and powerful animal she is today,” Malia Somerville, facility representative for the Polar Bear Population Alliance at Point Defiance Zoo, said. “We will miss her deeply, but we’re excited about what this next chapter could mean for Laerke and for polar bear conservation.”
Animal care staff plan to coordinate with the receiving care team to help them learn Laerke’s daily routines.
Matt Thompson, spokesperson for the Polar Bear Population Alliance, said introductions will move forward at the bear’s pace.
“Every breeding recommendation is made with the long-term health and genetic diversity of the population in mind,” Thompson said. “Laerke has been carefully matched with a potential breeding partner, but her comfort and behavior will guide the pace of introductions. Her opportunity to contribute to the next generation is an important part of our collective work to sustain a healthy, genetically diverse polar bear population.”
Keepers offer Laerke daily enrichment items, including wood wool, boomer balls, ice blocks and food treats, to encourage natural behaviors.
“Our team has invested so much time and care in her, and our guests have watched her grow and get to know her personality,” Somerville said. “We’re proud that she may now have the opportunity to contribute to the next generation of polar bears.”
While the zoo has no immediate plans to bring in another polar bear, Point Defiance Zoo will keep its designation as a polar bear facility, a Polar Bears International Arctic Ambassador Center and a member of the Polar Bear Population Alliance.
The zoo also works with Polar Bears International on research projects, including the “Burr on Fur” study, which is testing tracking methods for wild bears.
Point Defiance Zoo will share Laerke’s exact departure date and destination once arrangements are finalized with the receiving facility.
In early 2027, the zoo’s penguins will temporarily relocate into the polar bear habitat while construction moves forward on an expanded penguin exhibit funded by a voter-approved bond from April 2026.