The International Polar Bear Day is celebrated on this Friday (27), and surprisingly, a family of polar bears resides in São Paulo. Among them is Nur, the first polar bear born in Latin America, weighing only 120 kg and just 1 year and 3 months old. She was born at the São Paulo Aquarium in November 2024, weighing a mere 300 grams. Nur is the daughter of Aurora and Peregrino, two polar bears originally from Russia who have lived in the city for over a decade.

Male polar bears can grow up to three times larger than females, measuring between 2.4 to 3 meters long and weighing between 250 and 770 kg, while females range from 1.8 to 2.4 meters and weigh between 150 to 295 kg. Native to the Arctic Circle and surrounding continental areas, polar bears are concentrated in five countries: Canada, the United States (Alaska), Greenland, Russia, and Norway. The presence of polar bears in São Paulo represents a commitment to animal welfare and environmental education.

The aquarium aims to educate the public about the importance of polar bears and their habitats, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts given the species' precarious status in the wild. As climate change continues to threaten their natural habitats, the educational message surrounding polar bears is crucial for fostering awareness and encouraging protective measures for these magnificent animals.