Amelia Gray (polar bear)
 Amelia Gray in 2022 at the Oregon Zoo | |
| Species | Polar bear |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Born | 2016 Columbus Zoo |
| Residence | Brookfield Zoo |
| Parent | Anana |
Amelia Gray is a polar bear. She was born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2016. She has also lived at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and, since 2021, the Oregon Zoo in Portland.
Early life
Amelia Gray was born to Anana at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on November 8, 2016.[1] She was one of three polar bear cubs in North American zoos in 2016.[2][3] Amelia Gray received her name on Mother's Day in 2017.[4] The name "Amelia" means "defender" and "gray" is a reference to a patch of fur on the left side of her neck.[5]
Residence
In 2018, plans were made to relocate Amelia Gray to The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.[1][2] She arrived in Baltimore in October,[6][7] and she was initially quarantined.[8]
In 2021, Amelia Gray was relocated to the Oregon Zoo,[9][10][11] joining her half-sister Nora.[12][13] Concerns were expressed about the two bears getting along, since they had not previously met.[14] Amelia Gray arrived in October.[15][16][14] She lived in the zoo's Polar Passage habitat and was given time to familiarize herself with her new surroundings before meeting Nora in November.[15][17]
In 2022, the zoo tested "state-of-the-art laser technology" on Amelia Gray and Nora. According to KOIN, the bears "helped calibrate a special laser measuring body mass" and used a swim flume "to help scientists understand the calorie requirements of polar bears in the wild" for the purpose of providing "a safe, non-invasive way to monitor similar bears in the wild".[18][19] In 2024, The Oregonian said both bears had received "celebrity status" in Portland and were "vital contributors to the zoo's conservation research".[20]
In 2025, plans were made to move Amelia Gray to the Brookfield Zoo Chicago as part of a breeding effort.[21][22][23] She is slated to join polar bears Hope and Hudson later in the year.[24]
Family
Amelia Gray has half-sisters named Neva and Nora, who is a year older than her.[25] Her mother is the polar bear Anana.[1]
Personality
Amelia Gray is the more reserved of her siblings, according to Mike McClure, general curator of the Maryland Zoo. McClure said that she is "cautious of her surroundings and needs more time to assess all of the input she receives from her environment." According to her zookeepers, she likes to have alone time.[14]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 Pugh, Chris. "3 polar bears to leave Columbus Zoo". The Enquirer. Archived from the original on 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- 1 2 "3 Columbus Zoo polar bears will move to other zoos this fall". 10tv.com. 2018-08-30. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ Writer, Staff. "Columbus Zoo: Three polar bears moving to other zoos". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Columbus Zoo celebrates first birthday of polar bear Amelia Gray". 10tv.com. 2017-11-08. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Maryland zoo gets polar bear cubs". WMAR 2 News Baltimore. 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "The Maryland Zoo Welcomes Polar Bear Cubs Amelia and Neva - CBS Baltimore". www.cbsnews.com. 2018-10-10. Archived from the original on 2022-10-02. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Polar Bears return to Druid Hill Park". WMAR 2 News Baltimore. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ Barnett, Ashley (2018-10-11). "Maryland Zoo welcomes two polar bear cubs". WBFF. Archived from the original on 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Maryland Zoo Says Goodbye To The Polar Bears, Neva & Amelia Gray - CBS Baltimore". www.cbsnews.com. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Family reunion: Polar bear Nora's half-sister, Amelia Gray, coming to Oregon Zoo". KATU. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Maryland Zoo polar bear, Amelia Gray, to join half-sister Nora at the Oregon Zoo". The Oregonian. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ Gardiner, Harrington (2021-10-04). "Two Maryland Zoo Polar Bears will be on the move this fall". WMAR 2 News Baltimore. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Maryland Zoo polar bears Neva, Amelia Gray to move to other zoos". WBAL. 2021-10-04. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- 1 2 3 Williams, Kale (2021-11-08). "New polar bear, Amelia Gray, joins Nora at the Oregon Zoo". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- 1 2 "Polar bears Nora and Amelia Gray pal around in first meeting at Oregon Zoo". KATU. 2021-11-12. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Amelia Gray the polar bear arrives at Oregon Zoo". kgw.com. 2021-11-08. Archived from the original on 2022-07-10. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Family reunion: Oregon Zoo welcomes new polar bear Amelia Gray, half-sister to Nora". KATU. 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ Urenda, Gabby (2022-06-02). "Scientists test bear laser with polar bears at Oregon Zoo". KOIN.com. Archived from the original on 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ De Dios, Austin (2022-06-03). "Oregon Zoo polar bears and lasers: Teammates in the push for safer monitoring in the wild". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ Nocera, Veronica (2024-11-04). "Sing 'Happy Birthday' to Nora and her sister, Amelia Gray, at the Oregon Zoo this week". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ "Oregon Zoo polar bear moving to Chicago for the chance to have babies". KPTV. 2025-08-21. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ Corser, Bobby (2025-08-21). "Polar bear Amelia Gray embarks on a hopeful journey for her species' survival". KATU. Archived from the original on 2025-08-21. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ Acker, Lizzy (2025-08-21). "The Oregon Zoo will say goodbye to one of its beloved polar bears". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2025-08-24. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ Kaufman, Elyssa (2025-08-21). "Brookfield Zoo welcoming new polar bear this fall - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
- ↑ White, Chris (2018-08-30). "Farewell, polar bear cubs; Columbus Zoo's Nuniq, Neva & Amelia Gray to move this fall". WTTE. Archived from the original on 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2025-08-24.