ST PAUL, Minn. — A mid-October swim isn't all that commonplace, but the Como Zoo's newest resident was anxious to make her public debut.

Astra the polar bear paddled out on the deep-water side of the zoo's Polar Bear Odyssey exhibit. She arrived in St. Paul Thursday from Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, as part of a nationwide conservation effort to ensure a healthy, sustainable population of polar bears in accredited zoos like Como.

For now, zoo staff will keep Astra physically separated from Como’s other bears, Kulu, Nan, and Neil , but they will be able to see, smell, and hear each other. Gradual introductions will help the bears get used to one another safely and comfortably without anxiety or conflict.

The goal is to continue the process over the coming weeks

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