San Paulo Celebrates First Birthday of Noor, Latin America's Only Polar Bear Cub

A significant milestone was marked on November 17, 2025, at the Aquário de São Paulo (São Paulo Aquarium). The facility hosted a special event commemorating the first birthday of Noor, a polar bear cub who holds the distinction of being the first *Ursus maritimus* born in Latin America. This occasion is a major highlight for continental conservation efforts, and the celebration featured a dedicated program for visitors, emphasizing the successful outcomes of international cooperation aimed at safeguarding vulnerable species.

The festivities included the unveiling of the "Noor's Corner," an area where attendees could view detailed photographic materials and learn extensively about the polar bear's inaugural year. Born on November 17, 2024, Noor reached a healthy weight of 93 kilograms by her first anniversary, a clear indicator that she successfully navigated the crucial early developmental stages. The dedicated care team marked the day by presenting the birthday cub with a specially crafted ice cake, adorned with natural components such as carrots and apples. Furthermore, a children's book detailing Noor's journey was launched during the event, with all proceeds earmarked to support polar bear conservation initiatives.

Noor's birth was the culmination of a decade-long international partnership between the Aquário de São Paulo and the Kazan Zoo in Russia. The cub’s parents, Aurora (female) and Peregrino (male), were relocated from Kazan to Brazil in 2015. This move was part of a scientific and educational collaboration that coincided with the reconstruction and renovation of the Kazan Zoo's facilities. The veterinary staff noted that Noor is exhibiting increasing self-reliance and has significantly sharpened her swimming capabilities, having confidently passed through the most perilous months of infancy.

Currently, Noor's diet remains supplemented by her mother's milk, though she is actively incorporating solid foods, including pork, chicken, and fish. This transition marks a vital step toward weaning. Full separation from maternal nursing is anticipated around the age of two years, aligning with the natural developmental timelines for this species. Specialists from the Kazan Zoo had previously pointed out the inherent difficulty in detecting pregnancy in female polar bears due to their dense layer of blubber, necessitating continuous, meticulous observation of Aurora's behavior.

This successful birth underscores the critical importance of global collaborative endeavors in protecting the *Ursus maritimus*, a species whose worldwide population is estimated to be between 22,000 and 31,000 individuals, with approximately 5,000 to 6,000 residing in Russia. Projections suggest a potential 30 percent decline in the global polar bear count by 2050. Consequently, every successful captive breeding instance, particularly one occurring in a novel climatic region like São Paulo, is invaluable for maintaining the species' genetic diversity and long-term viability. The Aquário de São Paulo, spanning 9,000 square meters, provided a purpose-built enclosure for the pair from Kazan, setting a strong precedent for ensuring optimal living conditions during the Russian zoo's extensive renovation period.