Nora (polar bear)

Nora

Species	Polar bear
Sex	Female
Born	(2015-11-06) November 6, 2015 (age 10) [1] Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Nora (born November 6, 2015) is a polar bear at Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin. ^[2] She was born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio and later lived at the Hogle Zoo in Utah and the Oregon Zoo. ^[3]

History

Nora was born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on November 6, 2015, along with her twin. ^{[4] [5]}

Nora first arrived at the Oregon Zoo as a cub in 2016. She was moved to the Hogle Zoo in 2017 during work on the polar bear habitat in Portland, returning to the Oregon Zoo in 2021. ^{[6] [7]}

In 2019, Nora broke a bone and required surgery. ^{[8] [9]} She has been credited for helping with Arctic conservation efforts. ^{[10] [11]}

In 2026. Nora was relocated to the Henry Vilas Zoo so that she could join their breeding program. ^[2]

Nora weighs approximately 500 pounds. ^[12] She has been described as a "fan-favorite". ^[13] A book has been written about her. ^[14]

See also

• List of individual bears

References

1. "Zoo prepares to welcome back Nora the polar bear". Oregon Zoo. January 27, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
2. Moen, Corey (2026-01-15). "Henry Vilas Zoo welcomes new polar bear". Channel3000.com. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
3. Hollenhorst, John (5 March 2018). "For Nora the polar bear, there is Hope". Deseret News. Archived from the original on 2 February 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
4. Williams, Kale (2021-03-11). "Nora the polar bear returns to the Oregon Zoo". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2024-07-03. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
5. Williams, Kale (2021-03-21). "The remarkable story of Nora, the loneliest polar bear, and how she was saved". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
6. "Nora the Polar Bear arrives back at the Oregon Zoo". KATU. 2021-03-10. Archived from the original on 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
7. Wells, David (2021-03-11). "Polar bear 'Nora' returns to Oregon after more than three years at Hogle Zoo". FOX 13 News Utah (KSTU). Archived from the original on 2025-04-26. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
8. "Popular Hogle Zoo polar bear Nora breaks bone; surgery scheduled". www.ksl.com. Archived from the original on 2021-03-16. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
9. Williams, Kale (2019-02-01). "One-time Oregon Zoo favorite Nora the polar bear suffers broken leg at Utah Zoo". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
10. "Oregon Zoo's Nora the polar bear helps in Arctic conservation efforts". KVAL. 2023-01-27. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
11. "Oregon Zoo's polar bear, Nora, tests new tracking device". KATU. 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
12. Williams, Kale (2021-04-12). "A changed Nora returns to a dramatically different polar bear home at the Oregon Zoo". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
13. Williams, Kale (2021-02-27). "When polar bear Nora returns to the Oregon Zoo, a vastly upgraded exhibit awaits". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-08-24.
14. "Nora the polar bear's many challenges, including leg surgery, are recounted in a new book. Here's an excerpt". The Oregonian. 2021-03-19. Archived from the original on 2021-08-04. Retrieved 2025-08-24.