The latest addition to Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park Zoo, the first polar bear cub in nearly ten years, has been officially named. Identified as Mantayo, the bear, estimated to be around 10 to 11 months old, was given the name derived from Mantay-sîpî, the Cree term for the Churchill River, meaning “river of strangers.”
According to zoo officials, Mantayo’s name was selected through a public poll that included other options like Duke, Marly, and Fletcher, all linked to locations in or near Churchill. The final name was decided by popular vote, with over 12,000 individuals participating, a significant increase from the typical 5,000 votes in previous naming polls.
Mantayo made his public debut recently but remains housed in the old bear enclosures at the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre within the zoo. The staff is closely monitoring his progress and will determine when he can transition to the Journey to Churchill exhibit.
The zoo has witnessed the arrival of 12 bears, mostly orphans from northern Manitoba, along with a few exceptions like Storm and Agee. The careful management of Mantayo’s introduction to the existing bear community at the zoo is crucial due to the solitary nature of polar bears, which only come together for specific reasons like breeding.
While some bears like Star showed a preference for solitary living and now reside in separate enclosures, others like Hudson and Humphrey have integrated successfully into the zoo’s bear population. The zoo staff is dedicated to ensuring a smooth transition for Mantayo as he grows and acclimates to his new environment.
