The female bear, named Gula, arrived from Cologne, Germany, and joined another female, Batu, until now Poland's only representative of the species.
“We want to save the species to ensure its survival," said Michał Gołędowski, head of breeding and development at Łódź Orientarium Zoo.
Mayor Hanna Zdanowska hailed the new arrival in a social media post.
The zoo said it plans to seek a male to form a breeding pair.
The Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus malayanus) is the world’s smallest bear. Adults typically measure 1.2 to 1.5 meters in length and weigh 30 to 70 kilograms. The species is recognized by a pale chest patch that resembles a rising sun and by an unusually long tongue, up to 25 centimeters, used to reach honey and hunt for insects.
Sun bears are excellent climbers and often forage high in forest canopies. Because they live in tropical climates with year-round food availability, sun bears do not hibernate.
In the wild the species is threatened by deforestation and poaching. Researchers estimate numbers have fallen by about 35 percent since the 1990s.
The announcement comes as Łódź prepares to host the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s Annual Conference from September 9 to 13.
The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) is a network founded in 1992 and headquartered in Amsterdam. It counts more than 400 member institutions, including 11 in Poland.
The conference will focus on animal welfare, conservation, research and professional training, and will include technical workshops and site visits.
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP, orientarium.lodz.pl, radiolodz.pl, dzienniknaukowy.pl