NC Zoo adds second polar bear, Nikita

The North Carolina Zoo has added Nikita, a 9-year-old male polar bear, from the Kansas City, Mo., Zoo, to its population.

The new bear will join the zoo’s female polar bear Anana, 16, on exhibit after a period of acclimation in polar-bear holding quarters. The move was advised by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan Program.

“Polar bears tend to breed in the winter, so Nikita’s arrival is perfect timing,” said Pat Simmons, Director of the North Carolina Zoo.

Only 60 polar bears are on exhibit in the United States.

“We would like to thank the staff at the Kansas City Zoo and the community in Kansas City for making Nikita’s transfer to our Zoo a smooth one. So far Nikita is adjusting well to his new home,” said Ken Reininger, animal curator at the N.C. Zoo.

Visit www.nczoo.org.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 5:31 PM with the headline "NC Zoo adds second polar bear, Nikita."