| Species | Polar bear |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
Amelia Gray is a polar bear. She was born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2016 and has also lived at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore and the Oregon Zoo in Portland.
Amelia Gray was born to Anana at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on November 8, 2016. [1] She was one of three polar bear cubs in North American zoos in 2016. [2] [3] Amelia Gray received her name on Mother's Day in 2017. [4] The name "Amelia" means "defender" and "gray" is a reference to a patch of fur on the left side of her neck. [5]
In 2018, plans were made to relocate Amelia Gray to The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. [1] [2] She arrived in October, [6] [7] and was initially quarantined. [8]
In 2021, plans were made to relocated Amelia Gray to the Oregon Zoo, [9] [10] [11] joining her half-sister Nora. [12] [13] Amelia Gray arrived in October. [14] [15] [16] She lived in the zoo's Polar Passage habitat and was given time to familiarize herself with her new surroundings before meeting Nora in November. [14] [17]
In 2022, the zoo tested "state-of-the-art laser technology" on Amelia Gray and Nora. According to KOIN, the bears "helped calibrate a special laser measuring body mass" and used a swim flume "to help scientists understand the calorie requirements of polar bears in the wild" for the purpose of providing "a safe, non-invasive way to monitor similar bears in the wild". [18] [19] In 2024, The Oregonian said both bears had received "celebrity status" in Portland and were "vital contributors to the zoo's conservation research". [20]
In 2025, plans were made to move Amelia Gray to the Brookfield Zoo Chicago as part of a breeding effort. [21] [22] [23] She is slated to join polar bears Hope and Hudson later in the year. [24]
Amelia Gray has a half-sister named Neva. [25]