CONTACT: Kyle Shepherd
Direct: 502-238-5331  |  Media Only: 502-744-5639
kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

WHEN | Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Glacier Run

WHO | The Louisville Zoo staff and guests will celebrate polar bear Qannik’s 3rd birthday with a peanut butter cake created especially for Qannik from Heitzman’s Traditional Bakery and Deli in St, Matthews and a singing of Happy Birthday! A giant birthday card will be on hand for kids/families to sign and Qannik will be receiving a special enrichment item.

ABOUT QANNIK | Qannik made national headlines when she was found on Alaska’s North Slope in 2011 separated from her mother and sibling. After several days of monitoring her in hopes that she would reunite with the other bears, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) moved into a rescue operation. Qannik was under weight and likely hadn’t learned vital skills to survive the wild on her own without her mother and sibling. After many Zoos in North American vied for Qannik, it was decided by USFWS and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that Qannik’s new home would be The Louisville Zoo’s new arctic-themed bear habitat known as Glacier Run. She has been at the Zoo since June 28, 2011. As Qannik was born in the wild her exact birthday is unknown and officials from the USFWS assigned January 10 as her birthday. We are celebrating on the 11th so more guests can celebrate with us.

Qannik is still in rotation with the four other bears at Glacier Run’s bear habitat – four year-old polar bear Siku, and grizzly family – eight year-old mother Inga and three year-old cubs Otis and Rita.

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The Louisville Zoo, a non-profit organization and state zoo of Kentucky, is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

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