Chill out with the Louisville Zoo!

About this campaign

A birthday celebration occurs annually in January at the Louisville Zoo for polar bear Qannik. This year, we’re celebrating her 12th birthday by honoring her and her species with an opportunity for you to get a gift while giving a gift to her.

In April 2011, Qannik was rescued on Alaska’s North Slope when she was several months old after becoming separated from her mother and sibling. The harsh polar climate was too difficult for a cub her age and size to survive alone, and after unsuccessful attempts to reunite her with her mother, Qannik eventually found a home in Louisville.

She is a popular ambassador for her species in the Zoo’s Glacier Run habitat and if you’ve visited us, you probably have had an incredible Qannik selfie as she often moves up into the exhibit window to greet her fans. You can also see her enjoying her favorite toys (a large “pickle” and a green ring that she puts around her neck or leg).

The Zoo is also home to 23-year-old male polar bear Lee. He is described as easy going and loves to train with the keepers at Glacier Run. Lee’s a big guy, weighing over 1,100 lbs. and his favorite enrichment treat is peanut butter.

Help us celebrate these amazing creatures, by purchasing a limited time t-shirt to show your polar bear love! Shirts are available in children’s, unisex and women’s sizes. Please read the description of each shirt for sizing information.

By purchasing a shirt, you are directly contributing to the daily care and enrichment of Qannik, Lee and 1,000 other endangered, threatened and vulnerable animals that call your Zoo home. For more information about how your Zoo is working tirelessly for all the animals in our care, please visit Louisvillezoo.org.