Zoo brings in caregiver to help transferred ‘bilingual’ polar bear settle in

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To help a recently moved polar bear adjust to its new home, the zoo has hired a caretaker who speaks French. The bear was originally trained using French commands, so having a French-speaking caregiver will make the transition smoother.

Yelle, a 20-year-old bear, recently moved from Quebec to the Calgary Zoo in Canada. He previously responded to commands given in French, but zookeepers are now teaching him English equivalents, effectively making him bilingual.

Zoo using French cues before switching to English training

The zoo shared on Instagram that the bear used to be trained with commands given in French. They believe he still responds to those French cues as he gets used to his new home.

To help with the move, a caregiver who knows him well accompanied the animal and is now collaborating with the staff, sharing important information about his behaviors and daily habits.

So, the zoo told me they’re really trying to make this transition smooth for the guy. They want to make sure he’s comfortable and has everything he needs to settle into his new habitat, and they’re focusing on doing things the same way each time to help him feel secure.

Zoo staff are increasingly using English, with training now often conducted in the language, according to a zoo spokesperson.

Instead of making sudden changes, this method lets the bear adjust slowly. If the process goes well, Yelle will eventually be introduced to another bear named Siku.

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2026-03-28 15:48