Columbus Zoo, Aquarium helps save polar bears through artificial insemination
Back in March, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium contributed to innovative scientific efforts aimed to help protect polar bears.
Anana and Aurora, two female polar bears at the Columbus Zoo, were artificially inseminated (AI) on March 17, 2022.
A team led by Dr. Erin Curry at Cincinnati Zoo and the Botanical Garden’s Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife helped perform artificial insemination on bears.
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In a press release for the zoo, they say this procedure was done to help the dwindling polar bear population.
“We are cautiously optimistic that these AI attempts are successful; it would have a significant impact for the future of the species. Zoos play a critical role in advancing research on the reproduction of these species, and how science can be applied to help stabilize wildlife populations. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is committed to contributing to these collaborative efforts with our colleagues and partners to advance the scientific understanding of polar bear reproduction, their needs, and how we can best protect these animals and their habitats,” said Tom Schmid, President, and CEO of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
