15-year-old polar bear male, called Nord, has moved to Ranua Zoo in Finland on Monday February 22nd, 2021
Nord came from Denmark, Skandinavisk Dyrepark. Nord was born in Moscow Zoo and the transfer was performed due to recommendation from EAZA´s (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) polar bear coordinator.
Nord left Denmark on Friday, February 19th, and he arrived to his new home on Monday morning. The transportation went well and Nord had a good appetite the moment he got to his new den.
Nord will spend first days in his new home by getting used to his surroundings and his new keepers, and he might be hiding in the den occasionally. If all goes well, he will meet the female, Venus, later this spring. So far they will live in their own enclosures, and cubs are not expected this year.
The Ranua Wildlife Park, established 1983, specialises in arctic and northern animal species. The spacious animal fencings are located in the midst of northern conifer forests, the natural habitat of most of the animals. It is open every day of the year, also in the winter. Winters in Ranua are long with heavy snow loads, summers brief with light nights, autumns colourful and spring-times short and intensive.
The changing seasons give an additional dimension to its Wildlife Park visit. You can see in natural surroundings how arctic animals have adapted to changing seasons.
The Ranua Wildlife Park is the most popular family vacation destination in Lapland and the greatest tourist attraction in Ranua. The Wildlife Park has developed into a fine complex of excellent accommodation and other program services. In the winter the Wildlife Park is favoured mostly by foreign tourist groups, in the summer the majority of our visitors are domestic family vacationers.
The village of Ranua is located in the Southern Lapland on one of the main routes, Rovaniementie 29, about an hour’s drive away from Rovaniemi and Syöte. From Oulu, Kemi and Kuusamo the ride takes about 2 hours. The closest airport and railway-station are located in Rovaniemi. Daily bus-transportation is available between Rovaniemi and Ranua.