Snowflake the Polar Bear Updates

Supporting positive welfare at every stage of an animal’s life is integral to the Zoo’s mission. One of our oldest residents is Snowflake, who at age 29 is the second oldest polar bear in an accredited facility in the United States.

Our animal care team carefully monitors her for conditions associated with advanced age to increase her quality of life. Snowflake is currently treated with medication for both a cardiac issue and a chronic skin allergy.

Providing opportunities for choice and exerting control in daily life is also a vital component of her positive welfare. This is why guests may not always see Snowflake when they visit. Her off-exhibit area is divided into several spaces that can be adjusted to offer different environments and enrichment experiences. These comfortable inside areas help keep Snowflake cool in summer and avoid any physical or behavioral strain.

As we navigate the challenges of Snowflake’s aging, we will be sharing our animal care staff’s daily efforts to support her well-being in her golden years. Regular updates will be pulled from actual zoo email communications so that everyone can appreciate the care she is being provided in our staff’s own words. Keep watching for updates!

Keeping Cool!

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Diet – Increased liquid consumption

Snowflake stopped to drink water once during the third feed and once during the fourth feed today.

Fecal observation:

Snowflake had one loose stool overnight.

Medical note:

Snowflake was observed scratching her tail region this morning before the first feed.

Behavior:

Snowflake swam in the exhibit pool this afternoon before the last feed.

Medical note:

Snowflake burped on time during the last feed.

Enrichment details:

Watermelon ice treat topped with meat and capelin.

Medical note:

Daily Average Respiratory Rate (RR)

Resting/Active/Both: Both: 2 active, 1 resting

Average RR/1 minute: Active: 58/minute; Resting: 6/minute

Location(s) on exhibit: Den 4, hallway

***

Monday, June 30, 2025

Medical Note:

Daily Respiratory Rate (RR)

Resting/Active/Both: Resting (2)

RR/1 minute: 5/1 (sleeping), 52/1 (heavier breathing after last feed)

Location on exhibit: den 4

Extra notes: Snowflake was doing some heavier breathing while lying in den 4 after the last feed of the day. She had been sleeping for at least 1.5 hours before the last feed.

Snowflake was sitting very gingerly today, lowering her front half of her body first when lying down with her butt in the air, then letting her butt fall last to lie down. This happened during the last feed and after the last feed when she went to lie in her hay

Snowflake seemed “sleepy” with her eyes slightly squinted at the end of the day before her last feed. She laid down for the feed instead of keeping her front neck and head in more of an upright position and with her back legs out behind her in a “sploot.” She seemed to perk up more throughout the feed and appetite was normal.

Enrichment:

Ice pile on exhibit with fish scattered inside and food dyed ice shapes on top.

Feed log:

Threw out 0.5 lb. meat due to her burping at earlier feed/having a lot of food for the last feed.

Snowflake burped during the second feed.

***

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Enrichment details:

Snowflake was given produce scattered in Den 1 and 2 from the chutes.

Snowflake was given a half ball with produce inside on exhibit.

Snowflake was given an ice cake in Den 2. The first layer of the cake was a frozen watermelon treat, and the second layer of the cake was a herring ice treat. The cake was topped with herring and capelin.

Medical notes:

Snowflake was seen swimming around noon.

Daily Average Respiratory Rate (RR)

Resting/Active/Both: Active (3)

Average RR/1 minute: 43/1

Location(s) on exhibit: Exhibit beach; hallway; den 4

Extra notes: All RR taken while Snowflake was sitting. The first one was on the higher side (55/1) and she was heavy breathing.

Snowflake was breathing heavier in the a.m. in the hallway before her first feed. Her respiratory rate recorded at this time was 55/1 minute.

Snowflake was observed having blood on her rear this a.m./ There was blood and an odor in the hallway.

Snowflake was seen itching her tail region twice today. Once in the late morning on exhibit and once in the pm after her first feed (she had been rolling in her hay)

Medical treatment:

Salt Soak – Salinity 20 ppt

Snowflake was hesitant to get into the soak tub. She became frustrated and bit the side of the tub. She also decided to drink some of the salt and had an aversive reaction. She was brought into den 2 after this and asked to “hold” then given two capelin. She was asked a “let’s go” back into den 3 and into the soak tub. After some more hesitation she did eventually get into the tub. She struggled to sit in the soak and stood intermittently but did hold it for longer at the end before being asked back to den 1.

Behavior:

Snowflake was rolling in her hay after the last feed in den 4.

Snowflake burped once during the last feed.