Hogle Zoo Places Polar Bear Neva in Denning Den
Staff move the 10-year-old bear into a private enclosure to monitor for a potential pregnancy.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Pregnancy
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Keepers at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City have moved Neva, a 10-year-old polar bear, into a private denning enclosure to observe her for a possible pregnancy. Because polar bear pregnancy tests are ineffective, staff will monitor the 822-pound bear as she awaits a potential birth.
Why it matters
Neva and her mate, Nikita, have successfully mated annually since 2022 without producing offspring, making this a critical observational period. Staff have relocated their own offices to maintain a quiet environment for the bear during this potential denning cycle.
The denning enclosure measures 6 feet by 5 feet and is kept at a temperature between 30 and 40 degrees. If pregnant, Neva would likely produce two cubs.
The players
Neva
She is a 10-year-old female polar bear currently being monitored by zoo staff for a potential pregnancy.
Nikita
He is a 19-year-old male polar bear who has mated with Neva annually since their arrival at the zoo.
Hogle Zoo
This is a zoological facility in Salt Lake City that manages the Rocky Shores exhibit and oversees the care of the polar bears.
The details
Zoo staff have created a dark, quiet habitat for Neva to encourage natural denning behavior while she is separated from the Rocky Shores exhibit. Experts note that polar bear fathers do not participate in rearing offspring, leaving the full responsibility of care to the mother.
Timeline
Neva and Nikita have mated every year since 2022.
Neva remains in the denning enclosure during the coming months.
Culture Shift
Modern zoo management prioritizes behavioral indicators over intrusive medical testing to support species conservation goals. This aligns with broader efforts to replicate natural denning cycles within institutional environments.
Visitors to the Hogle Zoo may find that Neva is temporarily off-exhibit while she remains in her private denning area. The zoo has restricted staff access to the surrounding area to ensure the bear remains undisturbed.
The takeaway
Zoo staff will continue to monitor the enclosure until Neva either gives birth or indicates a desire to leave the den. If cubs are born, they would typically stay with their mother for approximately two years before potentially being transferred to another facility.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in animal care and monitoring at the Pregnancy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Salt Lake Tribune.
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