One of the Denver Zoo鈥檚 former polar bears is now a 鈥減apa鈥� bear.

Lee was moved to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium last fall in the hopes that the 20-year-old bear would finally produce offspring. On Thanksgiving Day, Lee鈥檚 mate, Aurora, gave birth to a cub.

Rebecca McCloskey, Denver Zoo鈥檚 curator of carnivores and primates, said the decision to send Lee and his former partner, Cranbeary, to separate zoos was difficult, but worth it.

鈥淗e was with Cranbeary for seven breeding seasons. No dice,鈥� McCloskey said. 鈥淎nd he is over at Columbus for one year and he鈥檚 got a baby over there. So definitely, ultimately a good move for him. He seems super happy there and we鈥檙e just delighted.鈥�

It looks like the move might have been just what Cranbeary needed as well. She was placed at the Alaska Zoo. as they believe she could be pregnant.

But this isn't the first time she鈥檚 put zoo officials on 鈥渂aby watch,鈥� McCloskey said.

鈥淔or most of the seven seasons that we had her here, she would go through the motions of 鈥榙enning up,鈥欌€� she said. 鈥淪everal years there were indications from her hormones that she was pregnant, and we got all excited and we set up the camera system and got everything ready and then nothing happened. So, I hope it鈥檚 a different situation up there in Alaska.鈥�

The decision to move the bears was based in part on recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums鈥� Species Survival Plan. Lee is one of only 10 male polar bears of breeding age in the U.S., McCloskey said.

The move was met with some public outcry, including an online petition signed by more than 30,000 people hoping to keep the bears in Denver. McCloskey said she understands the feeling.

鈥淲e did not want to see them go,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut we also have to look at a little bit bigger picture. Even though it鈥檚 a little bit painful for us to say goodbye to them, they have bigger missions and for whatever reason, they鈥檙e not getting it done here.鈥�