A tragic incident occurred at the Calgary Zoo on July 19, 2024, when a polar bear named Baffin died suddenly during an interaction with another polar bear named Siku. According to reports from various sources, including the Calgary Zoo and Wilder Institute, Baffin was in excellent physical condition and there was no evidence of heat-related stress or hyperthermia at the time of his death. The cause of Baffin's death was determined to be a crushing injury to his trachea inflicted by Siku during rough play.
Baffin, a 7-year-old male polar bear, had been living with Siku, an 8-year-old male polar bear, at the Calgary Zoo since October 2023. Both bears were orphaned cubs who came from Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg before being transferred to Calgary.
The two polar bears had a long history of living together and enjoyed a companionate relationship, as they displayed many natural polar bear behaviors, including daily playing in and out of the water. The type and intensity of play on the day of the incident appeared to be no different than what caregivers witnessed from them on a daily basis.
The necropsy report confirmed that Baffin died by drowning after losing consciousness underwater due to the tracheal injury inflicted by Siku during rough play. The Wilder Institute and Calgary Zoo expressed their condolences to the team and visitors who had grown fond of Baffin, describing him as a beloved member of their community.
Siku is currently being closely monitored by the zoo's Animal Care, Health & Welfare team in the aftermath of Baffin's death. The incident serves as a reminder that even in captivity, animals can experience unexpected accidents and injuries.
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