Polar bears at Rostock Zoo: insights into their world to protect the species!

Polar bears at Rostock Zoo: insights into their world to protect the species!

The International Polar Bear Week will take place from November 2nd to 8th, 2025 and Rostock Zoo is at the forefront. Today Maike Grunwald from ROSTOCK PORT GmbH visited the polar bears in the polar section of the zoo, an event that celebrates the long-standing partnership between ROSTOCK PORT and the zoo. This connection has existed for almost 20 years and both organizations are passionate about protecting polar bears and their arctic habitats, such as Rostock town hall reported.

Grunwald found out about the polar bears' medical training in the Polarium, which helps the animals to be examined without stress. The voluntary training also enables weight checks, which are of great importance for the health of the polar bears. Zoo director Antje Angeli warmly thanked ROSTOCK PORT for their support in nature and species protection. ROSTOCK PORT has also been a premium partner and animal sponsor of the polar bears since 2006.

The polar bears in Rostock Zoo

There are currently three female polar bears living in the Polarium: Sizzel (10 years old), Noria (9 years old) and Lili (9 years old). What is interesting is that Lili has taken on the leadership role within the group and Noria and Lili have a close bond. While Sizzel is more independent and her twins Kaja and Skadi have moved to Tallinn, a male polar bear is in the starting blocks for 2026, which will come to Rostock to further promote coordinated breeding.

The zoo has raised an impressive 37 polar bear cubs since 1956. The current status of the international studbook lists 265 polar bears in 111 zoos worldwide (as of March 21, 2025). Rostock Zoo has also been an official Arctic Ambassador Center of Polar Bears International (PBI) since 2017, which underlines its commitment to protecting these majestic animals.

Commitment to species protection

The Rostock Zoo team supports several scientific projects in the Arctic through contributions from visitors. One of the most notable projects is the Bear Tracker Project, which is equipping polar bears in the Canadian Arctic with GPS collars. The aim is to research their migration behavior and understand the influence of climate change. A female polar bear with two cubs has already been tracked over 1,700 kilometers.

PBI is also investigating polar bear dens in light of rising temperatures and melting snow. Zoo director Angeli emphasizes how important sea ice is for the survival of polar bears.

But the polar bears are not the only attractions at Rostock Zoo. In the adjacent Polarium you can also admire the Humboldt penguins, which live in a replica of the habitat on the South American Pacific coast. The penguin enclosure extends over 850 square meters and offers visitors the opportunity to observe the animals through large viewing windows both on land and under water. In addition, a variety of display boards provide information about the unique characteristics of these birds.

Visitors can learn more about the Nordic animals in a playful way and actively participate in the events with many activities, such as feeling a polar bear's teeth and measuring themselves in the long jump. The zoo not only contributes to biodiversity, but also promotes a better understanding of the challenges facing polar bears and their habitat.

For the future, Rostock Zoo is not only expecting a new male polar bear, but is also continuing its commitment to climate protection and preserving the polar bears' habitat with all their might. Rostock Zoo and ServiceNow show us how important it is to raise awareness of our planet and to actively advocate for our species protection.