logo
Polar bear Haley is moving to Detroit Zoo from Tennessee

Polar bear Haley is moving to Detroit Zoo from Tennessee

CBS News12-03-2025

A female polar bear will be transferred to the Detroit Zoo as part of a breeding recommendation and wildlife conservation effort.
Haley, the 22-year-old polar bear, left Memphis Zoo in Tennessee over the weekend in preparation for her new home in Michigan.
Lately, two polar bears have been part of the Detroit Zoo collection, a male named Nuka born in 2004 and a female named Suka born in 2012.
Haley was born Nov. 15, 2002, at Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York. She arrived at the Memphis Zoo when she was four years old as a possible breeding partner for other polar bears in Memphis. Polar bears are the largest member of the bear family, and the populations in the wild Arctic have been affected by the melting of some of their sea ice habitat.
Although she has never had cubs, Haley is a bright, inquisitive bear who enjoys enrichment, especially puzzle feeders," the Memphis Zoo reported. "She's also a guest favorite, often seen swimming and engaging with visitors at the underwater viewing windows."
Koda, the other Memphis Zoo polar bear, will remain in Tennessee, and seems to be adjusting well to Haley's departure.
"While we will miss Haley tremendously, we are proud to support polar bear conservation and look forward to seeing her thrive in her new home," the Memphis Zoo staff said.
The Memphis Zoo has hosted polar bears since the 1930s. The site participates in the Polar Bears International and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Program, which works to support the populations of endangered species.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kennebunk mourns loss of Shiloh Schulte: 'He's the kind of person you want in the world'
Kennebunk mourns loss of Shiloh Schulte: 'He's the kind of person you want in the world'

Yahoo

time14 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Kennebunk mourns loss of Shiloh Schulte: 'He's the kind of person you want in the world'

KENNEBUNK, Maine — As the community mourns the death of Shiloh Schulte, one of its most liked, respected, and dedicated citizens, there is one word that Select Board member Kortney Nedeau says describes the loss. 'It's immeasurable,' Nedeau said. 'It's just such a shock. He was the kind of person you want in the world.' Schulte, 46, died in a helicopter crash while conducting conservation work in Alaska on June 4. As outpourings from the community have shown, the former chair of the Kennebunk Select Board will long be cherished and remembered as a kind, energetic, and generous man who was devoted to his family, dedicated to his hometown, and passionate about celebrating and protecting nature, especially its birds. On social media, for example, Nedeau provided a heartfelt example of Schulte's impact as a community member and his ability to inspire others. She said Schulte was one of the reasons that she ran for a seat on the Select Board five years ago. 'He was encouraging, courageous, genuine, even-tempered, and fair,' Nedeau wrote in a post. 'It was such an honor to serve the town of Kennebunk in such a thankless job with someone who understood our work was above ourselves ... He was so humble, insightful, and honest.' Nedeau expanded on Schulte's character during an interview. 'He was unassuming,' she said. 'He was always listening first and was the last to speak. He always rose to the occasion. He always showed up.' And his impact went well beyond Kennebunk, Nedeau noted, so much so that she imagined that the duties of small-town government and community volunteering must have been a 'piece of cake' when compared to the hard work he accomplished throughout the world. More: Conservationist Shiloh Schulte, of Kennebunk, dies in research helicopter crash in Alaska Schulte worked with Manomet Conservation Sciences, a Massachusetts-based organization dedicated to using 'science and collaboration to improve the health of flyways, coastal ecosystems, and working land and seas,' according to its website. Among his contributions, Schulte coordinated the organization's American Oystercatcher Recovery Program and is credited with helping to rebuild the presence of that large shorebird – once believed to be completely out of existence locally – by as much as 45%. Nedeau said she and her colleagues on the Select Board would always know where Schulte would be come summertime as they worked out their meeting schedule for June, July, and August. Schulte, she said, would always tell them, 'I'll be in a tent, in the Arctic, unreachable – so do whatever works best for you guys.' Indeed, with June here, Schulte was in Alaska, pursuing his passions, fulfilling his commitment to protecting nature, and meeting his responsibility to future generations. 'Shiloh gave his life in the service of something greater than himself, dedicating himself to preserving the natural world for future generations," Manomet Conservation Sciences said in a statement announcing the tragedy. Schulte also was an avid and accomplished runner, who became the top Maine finisher of the Boston Marathon in 2019, completing the race in two hours and 39 minutes, according to the Dirigo Run Club, to which he belonged. In a social media post, the club described Schulte as 'known to always have a smile on his face' and as a 'fierce competitor.' Schulte served on the Kennebunk Select Board for a few years before ascending to the chair in the summer of 2022. Nedeau nominated him for the post, praising him as someone who knew how to lead a meeting, and who had a 'really great way about him to move things forward, regardless of where he is on the spectrum of an issue.' Schulte succeeded longtime Select Board member Blake Baldwin as chair. Anyone who followed the Select Board meetings during Baldwin's tenure could see the respect and esteem Baldwin had for Schulte and for the contributions he made to the discussions and hard decisions about town issues. 'He was the cool head that calmed troubled waters,' Baldwin said during a phone interview. 'For that, I was grateful to have him on the board, not just as a colleague but as a friend.' A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Schulte's family, including his wife and their two daughters. The GoFundMe campaign has a goal of $45,000. By the early afternoon of June 9, a total of $39,062 already had been raised. On the GoFundMe page, Schulte's family also refers to his passion for the natural world, describing him as an explorer of forests, wetlands and birds since an early age. Importantly, though, Schulte was more than a scientist, his family says on the fundraising page. 'He was a devoted husband and father, a loving son and brother, a generous neighbor, and a pillar of his community,' they said. 'Shiloh gave his all – always with a warm heart and a boundless energy.' In his interview, Baldwin also spoke of what Schulte was and always will be, not just to him, but to others. He spoke of Schulte's compassion for other people. In describing the impact that Schulte had, Baldwin referred to one of the most beloved movies of all time, 'It's a Wonderful Life.' In that Christmas classic, Clarence, the angel who is trying to earn his wings, explains to George Bailey, who wished he had never been born, what happens when people lose someone they love. Some people leave a big hole, Clarence said. Some people are part of your soul, Baldwin said, and when they are gone, 'they leave a big hole.' Said Baldwin, 'Shiloh is one of those people.' This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kennebunk mourns loss former Select Board chair Shiloh Schulte

Columbus Zoo is on baby elephant watch
Columbus Zoo is on baby elephant watch

Axios

time21 hours ago

  • Axios

Columbus Zoo is on baby elephant watch

Talk about big news: For the first time in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's history, two Asian elephants are pregnant at the same time — and one is due any day now. Why it matters: The species is endangered, and its population in accredited zoos is currently unsustainable due to dwindling numbers and a lack of genetic diversity, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The calves' father — Sabu, from the Cincinnati Zoo, who lived here temporarily — has no living offspring, so the births will bolster the gene pool. The big picture: The news comes as some zoos are moving away from keeping elephants amid increasing care standards, which require lots of space and expense. Others, like Columbus, are investing more by expanding habitats, encouraging breeding, and working with global partners to conserve wild elephants. Advocates say keeping elephants is important for research and education. A 2023 AZA strategic plan calls for increased collaboration among zoos, including transferring animals for breeding. Threat level:"If we don't do something as a group, we're not going to have elephants in 100 years," says Adam Felts, senior zoo curator and head of the AZA's Species Survival Plan. At last count, there were 157 Asian elephants in 27 AZA institutions. Zoom in: Felts took Axios behind the scenes to meet 38-year-old matriarch Phoebe, who is expecting her sixth calf. She's "all business," with a big appetite. The 7,400-pound pachyderm calmly used her trunk to funnel biscuits into her mouth while a veterinarian scanned her with an ultrasound probe. Her calf is likely the size of a Great Dane. It's impossible to see the entire thing in one image, but vets can view ribs, a skull or a beating heart. All appear healthy. Another elephant, 16-year-old Sunny, is due with her first calf between now and August, while Phoebe is due in the fall. Keepers hope the experienced mom will show Sunny the ropes. They're encouraged by her bond with Phoebe's 3-year-old calf, Frankie, who still lives at the zoo. The arrangement should mimic wild herd behaviors, in which females raise the young together and males are mostly solitary. The intrigue: The new calves will make history in another way, as Columbus' first to be vaccinated for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV). The devastating virus is the leading cause of death among AZA elephants, and calves are especially at risk. A vaccine became available last year. What's next: Elephants are pregnant up to 22 months, so expect lots of fanfare when the 200-plus-pound bundles of joy finally arrive. 1 fun prenatal ritual: elephant yoga Impress your friends with this fun fact: the Columbus Zoo's herd is trained in "elephant yoga." How it works: The elephants follow a target and maneuver into various poses, such as stretching their feet and trunks, kneeling, and lying on the ground. Between the lines: Keepers say practicing the moves keeps them limber and engaged. It also helps them learn to get into positions for routine health monitoring, such as blood draws, exams and ultrasounds. 😅 Alissa's thought bubble: I definitely couldn't move as gracefully during my pregnancy as 7,400-pound Phoebe does. Impressive.

Officials under scrutiny after fragile river system suffers damage with little accountability: 'It's quite a small penalty'
Officials under scrutiny after fragile river system suffers damage with little accountability: 'It's quite a small penalty'

Yahoo

time5 days ago

  • Yahoo

Officials under scrutiny after fragile river system suffers damage with little accountability: 'It's quite a small penalty'

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation recently reported on a "weak reprimand" handed down to a company that contaminated a river with byproducts from its operations. A coal company responsible for releasing more than a million liters of mine-contaminated wastewater into an Alberta river was fined just 9,000 Canadian dollars (about 6,500 U.S. dollars), which critics say is hardly holding it accountable. In March 2023, CST Canada Coal allowed wastewater from its mine to spill into the Smoky River, a major tributary of the Peace River. The leak lasted at least 17 hours and released roughly 9,000 kilograms of polluting sediment into the water — a known threat to fish species such as the local bull trout and Arctic grayling, not to mention the risk to communities downstream. The Alberta Energy Regulator cited the company, but the fine is being called "a slap on the wrist" by environmental groups and former government officials. "It's quite a small penalty for something that was deemed to have moderate potential for adverse effects downstream," said Tara Russell, program director with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society's northern Alberta chapter, per the CBC. Coal mine wastewater often contains toxic materials such as selenium as well as fine particles that damage fish gills and disrupt ecosystems. In this case, regulators found that CST had inadequate reporting protocols, no qualified staff on-site, and no ice removal equipment to repair the frozen valve that led to the spill. This wasn't the first time CST leaked contaminants into the Smoky River, the CBC revealed. In 2022, the company spilled more than 100,000 liters of untreated wastewater in a similar incident and was fined CA$22,000. Aside from damaging ecosystems, the pollution is harmful to local communities that rely on the ecosystem for water, food, irrigation, and more. Letting polluters off the hook easily can mean they may not feel real pressure to do better. "I can't see that this is going to be an effective enforcement tool," said NDP MLA Marlin Schmidt, per the CBC. "It's not an effective deterrent for the companies and it's an extremely expensive process for the Alberta Energy Regulator." Critics say Alberta needs tougher enforcement and escalating penalties for repeat offenders to truly protect waterways, wildlife, and public trust. "Other operators are looking [at] this fine and saying the AER is not credible when it says that they're going to bring the hammer down on bad actors," said Schmidt. Individuals can help hold polluters accountable by supporting organizations that advocate for stronger environmental regulations, including CPAWS and Ecojustice. You can also take local action by pushing for clean energy policies and voting for candidates who prioritize public health over polluter profits. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store