Polar bear tragedy at Canadian zoo after playtime between two predators goes horribly wrong

An orphaned young polar bear has tragically died while playfully fighting with his adoptive brother at Calgary zoo. 

Baffin, a seven-year-old bear was sparring in its enclosure with eight-year-old Siku when staff members suddenly noticed that he was nowhere to be seen. 

After a few minutes of investigation, they discovered him dead in the enclosure's lower pool. 

Necropsy results confirmed that Baffin suffered a crushing injury to his trachea which caused him to drown. 

The results also confirmed that the bear was in 'excellent physical condition and there was no evidence of heat-related stress (hyperthermia)'. 

Jamie Dorgan, the zoo's interim CEO and chief operating office said: 'Baffin wasn't seen for a few minutes … soon after that we were able to move Baffin off from the pool. 

'Baffin was deceased in the pool … It's obviously a huge shock today for our staff and volunteers to learn of this incredibly surprising situation.'

The heartbroken CEO added that the zoo is doing everything it can to support staff and volunteers stunned by the sudden death.

'Our animal care specialists have pretty significant relationships with these animals, for them they're like family — most of these people spend more time with their animals than they do with their own families. 

'These polar bears have been a fantastic addition here and we were so excited to offer them a great home. Considering everything appeared outwardly normal before, it's very, very shocking like any sudden death within a family,' he assured onlookers. 

The bears were orphaned as cubs before they were seen wandering near Churchill, Manitoba by conservation officers.

Due to their young age, they were moved to Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg where they lived with seven other polar bears.

After six years, the duo were relocated to Calgary last October - making them the first polar bears at the Zoo since 1999. 

Colleen Baird, Director of Animal Care, Health & Welfare at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo noted: 'Baffin and Siku shared a long history as longtime habitat mates and enjoyed a companionate relationship, which is why they were chosen to come to Calgary from Assiniboine Park Zoo. 

'They displayed many natural polar bear behaviors, including playing daily in and out of the water. 

'The type and intensity of play on the day of the incident appeared to be no different than the type of play their caregivers witnessed from them on a daily basis.'

Siku is currently being closely monitored by the zoo’s Animal Care, Health & Welfare team.