Polar Bear Roams Around Her New Home At Detroit Zoo [PHOTOS]
ROYAL OAK (WWJ/AP) - An elderly polar bear that spent years at an Indianapolis zoo is roaming around her new home at the Detroit Zoo.
The zoo says Tundra, a 29-year-old female, was relocated last week and began exploring for the first time Tuesday. She joins two 11-year-old bears, a male and female, as well as three foxes and five seals at the zoo's Arctic Ring of Life exhibit in Royal Oak.
Ron Kagan, executive director of the Detroit Zoological Society, says Tundra has exceeded the life expectancy of a polar bear in captivity. The animals have an average life span of 15-18 years in the wild and 21-24 years in zoos.
"She is sweet and curious and rather sprightly for an elderly bear," Kagan said in a statement.
Animals generally tend to live longer in captivity due to the health care and nutrition provided by veterinarians and animal care staff, according to Kagan.
The Arctic Ring of Life is one of the largest habitats for polar bears in North America. The exhibit has 4 acres of indoor and outdoor habitat which allows bears access to grassy tundra, a "pack ice" area, a freshwater pool and a 190,000-gallon saltwater pool.
Tundra was forced to leave the Indianapolis Zoo, which is permanently closing its polar bear exhibit.
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