Detroit Zoo Welcomes New Polar Bear Kali After Swap with Toledo Zoo

The transfer aims to support the long-term sustainability of polar bear populations in accredited zoos.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:55am

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The Detroit Zoo has welcomed a new 13-year-old male polar bear named Kali, who was previously at the Toledo Zoo. In exchange, the Detroit Zoo has sent its male polar bear Nuka to Toledo. The transfer was designed to support the long-term sustainability of polar bear populations in accredited zoos around the world, and comes after recommendations from the Polar Bear Population Alliance.

Why it matters

Polar bears are a vulnerable species, and accredited zoos play an important role in conservation efforts and public education about the threats they face in the wild. This transfer helps strengthen the health and social dynamics of the polar bear populations at both the Detroit and Toledo Zoos.

The details

Kali was rescued as a cub in 2013 after being found orphaned by residents of the Native Village of Point Lay, Alaska. He was released to the care of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and later moved to the Saint Louis Zoo in 2015 before relocating to the Toledo Zoo in 2025. Kali is known for his strength and intelligence. He will now share a habitat with female polar bears Suka, 13, and Haley, 23, at the Detroit Zoo, with the bears gradually introduced to each other.

  • Kali was rescued as a cub in 2013.
  • Kali moved to the Saint Louis Zoo in 2015.
  • Kali relocated to the Toledo Zoo in 2025.
  • Kali moved to the Detroit Zoo in January 2026.

The players

Kali

A 13-year-old male polar bear who was rescued as a cub in Alaska in 2013 and has now been transferred from the Toledo Zoo to the Detroit Zoo.

Nuka

The male polar bear that was previously at the Detroit Zoo and has now been transferred to the Toledo Zoo.

Suka

A 13-year-old female polar bear at the Detroit Zoo that Kali will be gradually introduced to.

Haley

A 23-year-old female polar bear at the Detroit Zoo that Kali will be gradually introduced to.

Polar Bear Population Alliance

An organization that provided recommendations to support the long-term sustainability of polar bear populations in accredited zoos.

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What they’re saying

“This successful transfer reflects the collaboration of our teams in Detroit and Toledo, as well as a shared commitment to animal well-being and conservation.”

— Mike Murray, Chief Life Sciences Officer, Detroit Zoo (WXYZ)

What’s next

Kali will be gradually introduced to the female polar bears Suka and Haley at the Detroit Zoo.

The takeaway

This polar bear transfer between the Detroit and Toledo Zoos demonstrates the important role accredited zoos play in conservation efforts and supporting the long-term sustainability of vulnerable species like the polar bear.