Toronto Zoo Officially Names New Polar Bear Cub

Photo Credit: Toronto Zoo

March 6, 2014, Toronto, Ontario: The public has spoken! With over 14,000 people voting in the ‘Name the Cub’ contest, a name has emerged as the favourite! “Humphrey” has been confirmed as the name for Toronto Zoo’s male polar bear cub! The now almost four-month-old cub represents a heartwarming journey of survival, one where expert Toronto Zoo Wildlife Health and Wildlife Care staff worked around the clock to save a vulnerable species. Humphrey is a great Arctic Ambassador for polar bears everywhere, helping to spread the word on how each person can make a difference and help save this vulnerable species – Canada’s national treasures.

The ‘Name Our Cub’ Contest presented by Coca Cola consisted of six names selected by the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Care and Health Teams: Humphrey, James, Lorek, Orson, Searik and Stirling. Public voted for their favourite name beginning February 11 through March 3, 2014. Once the votes were tallied, “Humphrey”, emerged as the most popular name among our polar bear fans. As a wonderful addition to the cub’s first name “Humphrey”, he has also been given an additional Inuit name “Piujuq” (Piu), meaning “good and nice”. The cub will be formally documented as Humphrey Piujuq in the official registry at the Toronto Zoo.

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I am very proud to be a part of Humphrey’s incredible journey, as it is one that exemplifies the passion and dedication of the Toronto Zoo’s Wildlife Care, Wildlife Health Centre and Nutrition Teams”, says Jeff Young, Supervisor of Americas. “The Toronto Zoo saves and protects animals and their habitats at home and abroad, and Humphrey is a wonderful result of this continuous commitment.”

As a leader in conservation and species survival the Toronto Zoo is involved in collaborative research projects with multiple accredited zoos and organizations to help better understand polar bear reproductive biology, and provide valuable information to support polar bear education, research and conservation efforts in the wild. These organizations include Polar Bears International (PBI), Parks Canada, the North American Species Survival Plan (SSP), and Acres for the Atmosphere.

Humphrey joins the Zoo’s three adult bears on exhibit in the Tundra Trek: parents Aurora (female) and Inukshuk (male) and female Nikita (sister of Aurora). The cub can be seen in his outside den and polar bear maternity area from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. The Zoo’s Polar Bear Cub Exhibit is generously supported by Symcor, who also supported Hudson’s Polar Bear Cub Exhibit in 2012.

My family has had a membership to the Toronto Zoo for several years and are supportive of their efforts regarding animal conservation.  I truly believe that the arrival of Humphrey is indeed a noteworthy environmental event.

Eric Novak

About Eric Novak

Eric Novak is a father of 4 who also thinks that environmental stewardship is a requisite of parenting. He's not a professional Dad nor is he an environmental scientist, but he's someone who gives a damn and is trying to make the right decisions as he lives his life as a father, environmentalist, part time professor and business owner. Eric has 4 children and resides in Ajax, Ontario.