Aion’s new home: the polar bear enclosure from Rostov-on-Don has been completely renovated

An ice maker was installed inside, now the animal will be able to cool off in the snowdrift even in the hot summer

The favorite polar bear of Rostovites, named Aion-Veles, went out into his updated enclosure for the first time. The 15-year-old animal cautiously sniffed the new details of the surroundings and happily dived into the pool.

The beast’s home was greatly transformed after renovation. The walking enclosure itself and the pool inside it have been renovated. The main innovation is that an ice generator was installed on the site, which will produce snow during the warm season. Now, in hot weather, Aion will be able to cool down in a snowdrift. In addition, the water treatment system in the pool was changed, and the walls were decorated with Arctic landscapes.

On Thursday, March 14, Ion was released into the renovated area for the first time. He began to inhabit the territory anew, sniffing unusual smells, exploring secluded corners, and then plunged into his favorite pool.

“The area of ​​the enclosure remains the same, but outwardly it looks different – the old decorative tiles were replaced with more wear-resistant concrete, the walls were re-plastered and painted, and the pool bowl was repaired. The first impression when you approach the enclosure is as if you were in the Arctic. The “northern” decor is so realistic. Ion likes it! We thank Rosneft PJSC, the zoo’s partner and guardian of polar bears, for their help in maintaining polar bears!” Zoo director Yulia Soboleva shared her impressions.

Ayon arrived in Rostov-on-Don in 2019 as part of the Union of Zoos and Aquariums of Russia (SOZAR) program for the conservation of polar bears. He was rescued in 2010, in Chukotka, near the island of Aion. The Bear Patrol spotted a very small, lonely polar bear cub. Most likely, his mother was killed by poachers or he got lost during a severe snowstorm.

Aion quickly got along with the female Comet, who at that time had already lived in the Rostov zoo for a long time. In December 2020, for the first time in 32 years, a polar bear cub was born here. The bear’s pregnancy lasted eight months. The baby was born weighing about 500 grams.

Currently, cosmetic renovations are being carried out on the walking area for Aion’s friend, the polar bear Comet. In the fall, her enclosure will be completely renovated.

Preservation and protection of the polar bear population is one of the priorities of the largest oil company in the field of environmental protection. Since 2013, all bears in Russian zoos have been under her care. Today there are 34 individuals. The company provides their maintenance, feeding, veterinary support, builds and renovates enclosures. With the support of oil workers, special toys have been developed to increase the physical activity of animals. Several types of products, made of especially durable plastic, are sent to zoos every year.

The company also studies the behavior of the red-listed predator in the wild. Since 2016, Rosneft has been conducting research on polar bears as a bioindicator species of Arctic ecosystems. During this time, several large-scale expeditions took place, during which specialists studied the migration routes, numbers and distribution density of these polar predators, and also carried out various analyzes of biological samples. This year, a new stage of research begins: scientists will for the first time carry out an aerial survey of all bears of the Kara subpopulation.