Saint Louis Zoo welcomes 6-year-old polar bear Laerke

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The Saint Louis Zoo is announced the arrival of its newest resident, a 6-year-old female polar bear, Friday.

The polar bear, named Laerke, comes from Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. Her move was announced Oct. 15. She will be paired with 4-year-old male polar bear Kallu in hopes that they one day may have cubs.

Polar bears are a threatened species, and Laerke’s move comes as part of a plan to preserve the future of polar bears that focuses on sustainability and genetic diversity.

The plan is for Laerke to make her debut in the fall or winter, after she acclimates to her new home. Introducing Kallu and Laerke will take time, and they will likely not be seen in the habitat together until early 2027.

Laerke suffered a medical emergency after her birth in November 2020, and she was hand-reared by humans due to the fact that she needed intense care. She was paired with an orphaned grizzly cub at 9 months old, and was finally reunited with her twin sister at the age of 2. Kallu has been at the Saint Louis Zoo since March 2025.