Andy, the newest polar bear at Hogle Zoo, was introduced into his new home Wednesday.
The 5-year-old male polar bear, which was received on a breeding loan from the Buffalo Zoo in Buffalo, N.Y., will be paired with Chinook, the zoo's 18-year-old female polar bear.Pepsi-Cola Inc. has given a contribution toward the care of the polar bears, said Andrew Wallace, zoo marketing director.
The zoo hopes to continue its successful polar bear breeding program with Andy.
"Chinook has been a wonderful female polar bear. She had cubs in 1985, 1987, 1989 and again in 1993. We hope the match with Andy will produce more cubs in the future," said Kimberly Davidson, the zoo's general curator.
Chinook's last cub was moved to the Sapparo Zoo in Sapparo, Japan, on April 28, 1995, to create space for Andy in his new home.