Hogle Zoo's female polar bear, Neva, has entered her den for the season according to a report published October 22, 2026. Weighing 822 pounds, Neva has transitioned into a period of isolation, while her partner Nikita remains visible at Rocky Shores in Salt Lake City.
The transition into denning season is an annual ritual for the pair. Hogle Zoo stated that Nikita and Neva share habitat space each spring for breeding before parting ways in the fall. During their courtship period, the bears rest near each other, share toys, and exchange open-mouth greetings, which sometimes results in minor wounds.
Biological factors, such as delayed implantation, influence the timing of the denning season. In this process, a fertilized egg only attaches and begins developing in the fall if the mother has built up sufficient fat reserves. To support this, zoo keepers increase Neva's food intake starting in the spring to help her reach an ideal denning weight, as females can gain up to a third of their body weight before entering the den.
The zoo has prepared a specialized sanctuary for Neva, transforming her den into a dark, soundproofed environment with specialized cooling controls designed to mimic an Arctic snowbank. This space includes reinforced HVAC and soft substrate to minimize disruption. If cubs are born, they would typically remain in the den until late spring.
The uncertainty regarding pregnancy is a common challenge for zoos. Hogle Zoo noted there is no reliable way to determine if a female is pregnant or experiencing a pseudopregnancy at this stage, and females may den even without cubs on the way. This mirrors processes at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, where the female Aurora also began denning behavior in late September.
While Neva is tucked away, Nikita continues his training sessions and enrichment activities in his habitat. Visitors to the Salt Lake City facility can still observe Nikita at Rocky Shores during this seasonal shift.
