Get to Know Our Polar Bears
Nuniq - pronounced "new-nick" - was born at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2016 and arrived in Kansas City in 2020. You will frequently see him splashing around in the pool and tearing up some of his favorite toys.
Polar Bear Camera
Polar Bear Passage was created to specifically meet a polar bear’s needs. It includes:
- A 140,000 gallon pool chilled to 65 degrees for swimming and diving
- A giant sand pit for digging (or napping) and a grassy yard for rolling around and playing with enrichment items
- Air-conditioned bedrooms and den behind the scenes, complete with private swimming pool
Keeping Busy
Our animal care staff plans daily activities for Nuniq. They use varied foods, smells, toys and sounds to change what they experience every day. You may see Nuniq playing with balls, barrels, logs, or straw – they have a lot of options!
The Menu
Nuniq has a wide choice of food items. Herring, capelin, trout, polar bear kibble, lard and a selection of fruits and vegetables are all on the menu. Seasonally, polar bear weights fluctuate widely just as they would in the Arctic. In summer months, polar bears weigh much less because they are unable to hunt seals on the ice. In the winter, when hunting is possible, polar bears pack on the pounds.
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