Hudson and Humphrey leaving Winnipeg zoo, heading back to Toronto
Hudson and Humphrey, two of the Assiniboine Park Zoo's beloved polar bears, are leaving Winnipeg and moving back to Toronto, where they were born.
Officials with the Winnipeg zoo announced on Friday that the bear brothers will move back to the Toronto Zoo on Oct. 11.
Hudson came to the Assiniboine Park Zoo from Toronto in January 2013, and he was one of the first polar bears to live at the zoo's Journey to Churchill exhibit.
He was also the first polar bear at the Winnipeg zoo since Debby, who was the world's oldest polar bear, died in 2008 at the age of 42.
During his tenure at the Assiniboine Park Zoo, Hudson greeted many guests and dignitaries, including Prince Charles in May 2014.
"He is very special to us. He's the most famous bear in Winnipeg right now and he will be sorely missed at our facility," said Gary Lunsford, the Assiniboine Park Zoo's head of zoological operations.
Humphrey, Hudson's younger sibling, was also born at the Toronto Zoo and arrived in Winnipeg in March 2015.
Both bears were around 15 months old when they arrived in Winnipeg. Hudson will celebrate his fifth birthday on Oct. 11 — the same day the bears leave the city — while Humphrey will turn three on Nov. 9.
"We are very grateful to have had Hudson and Humphrey here in Winnipeg for the last few years and to have given them the opportunity to become socialized with our other polar bears," said Lunsford in a news release.
"While they will certainly be missed by our staff and visitors, we know that Toronto Zoo is very excited for their return."
The Assiniboine Park Zoo will have 10 days of farewell festivities for Humphrey and Hudson starting Saturday.
Zoo officials say the pair's departure will create more room to house rescued polar bears from northern Manitoba.
Karl Enns was at the zoo today with his kids to see the bears. He was surprised to hear the news.
"It's a little bit sad of course to lose them, but it's important to share with other parts of Canada and maybe other parts of the world," said Enns.
"[Hudson was] kind of the face of the zoo for a long time, so there's definitely going to be a spot that will be tough to fill," he said.
The zoo is still home to seven bears, all from the province's north: Storm, Aurora, Kaska, Blizzard and Star are at the Journey to Churchill exhibit, while cubs Eli and York are currently living in the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre, also located on the zoo grounds.
