MADISON, Wis. -- Polar bears have long been one of the main attractions at the Henry Vilas Zoo, and soon a new bear will join the zoo's family.

Nora, who will turn 10 years old in November, is set to move to Madison from the Oregon Zoo in Portland, Ore. She will join 26-year-old female Berit and will eventually be introduced to a male bear so she can raise cubs.

"This polar bear move is a tremendous step forward towards helping the overall polar bear population," the Henry Vilas Zoo's Executive Director, Ronda Schwetz, said.

Nora's move is part of a plan made by members of the Polar Bear Population Alliance, a consortium of Association of Zoos and Aquariums–accredited groups focused on maintaining the polar bear population in the United States. Polar bears are a threatened species and a

See Full Page