Baffin was rescued when he was less than a year old after being orphaned in the wild.
Baffin presumably lost consciousness while underwater due to the injury.
The bear had been in otherwise excellent physical condition and showed no signs of heat-related stress.
Baffin the polar bear, as photographed in November 2023.Calgary Zoo
It’s been a difficult few days following the unexpected loss of polar bear, Baffin.
Necropsy results show he drowned after a tracheal injury from rough play w/ Siku.
He was in excellent health with no signs of heat stress.
They displayed many natural polar bear behaviours, including playing daily in and out of the water.
Baffins drowning is not the first time the Calgary Zoo has been under scrutiny due to animal deaths.
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