Australian-born polar bear moving to Canada for breeding program

The star attraction of Sea World on the Gold Coast is leaving the popular theme park destined for Canada, to join a new breeding program.

The famed polar bear cub, Henry, is the first of his species to be born in Australia in more than thirty years.

Now, more than two years later, he is making the move to a cooler climate to help continue his blood line.

Sea World could welcome as many as four cubs next year as a result of the program.

“He’s got very special genetics,” Sea World marine sciences director Trevor Long said.

“His father is from there.”

He is moving to the Cochrane Polar Bear Habitat in Ontario, where it is hoped he will begin to produce more cubs as part of a conservation and breeding program.

Mr Long says it could take Henry a little while to acclimatise to his new environment after leaving warm and sunny Queensland.

“His summer coat is certainly not ready for the winter over there,” Mr Long explained.

“It will take about 18 months before he switches over and gets his malts right so the facility over there has got large heaters they’ve engaged for his settling in.”

Henry’s journey will take a few days, involving a commercial flight, a private charter and finally an hour and a half drive to his new home.