Como Park Zoo welcomes its newest arrival: Astra the polar bear

On Wednesday evening, the newest resident of the Como Park Zoo arrived: a 4-year-old polar bear named Astra.

Astra comes from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington.

Her move to the Twin Cities is part of the Polar Bear Population Alliance (PBPA), which plans to have Astra be paired with fellow Como Park Zoo resident Kulu, a 5-year-old polar bear.

1/27/2025 (Katie G. Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)Astra.

7/11/2023 (Katie G. Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)Astra.

8/14/2023 (Katie G. Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)Astra and Laerke.

Senior Zookeeper Allison Jungheim, who serves on the PBPA’s Management Group, said the group is hopeful the two will be a good match for each other and result in a number of new polar bear cubs.

“Astra is a young, energetic bear with tremendous potential,” said Jungheim. “Her genetics are valuable to the population, and we’re optimistic that, in time, she and Kulu will form a strong bond that contributes to the sustainability of this threatened species. The next few weeks will be focused on helping her settle in and feel comfortable in her new surroundings.”

For now, Astra will be separated from the zoo’s Polar Bear Odyssey residents, the aforementioned Kulu and the zoo’s senior polar bears Nan, 30, and Neil, 29.

10/24/2023 (Katie G. Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)Astra.

7/11/2023 (Katie G. Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)Astra.

11/14/2023 (Katie G. Cotterill/Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium)Astra.

The separation will give Astra time to adjust to her new surroundings before being introduced to her new companions and the public.

While visitors won’t be able to see her yet, the Como Park Zoo said it will provide updates on when the public can catch their first glimpse of her.
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