MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -- This winter, Henry Vilas Zoo could be welcoming in a new member of the family.

Zoo staff are hoping Berit the polar is expecting. Deputy Zoo Director Jeff Halter said she could become the first successful case of artificial insemination in polar bears, as all attempts so far have been unsuccessful. Halter also said only 60 polar bears live in captivity in the United States so this would be important for conserving the population.

The artificial insemination took place two weeks ago, using the sperm of a male polar bear that passed away shortly before the procedure occurred. Although all attempts of artificial insemination in polar bears have been unsuccessful, zoo staff are hopeful because they were able to use fresh, non-frozen rather than frozen sperm, potentially increasing the chances that it will work. Because it is impossible to tell if a polar bear is pregnant, the zoo will not know if the artificial insemination was successful until Berit gives birth.

"So we won't really know until we see cubs. There's no test like for people for a urine test or any kind of blood test we can do to find out if polar bears are pregnant. They do something called false pregnancy. They do all the same steps of gaining weight and denning up and looking and acting pregnant. Then nothing comes of it,” said Halter.

If the artificial insemination is successful, Berit would give birth late December or early January.

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