for viewing the polar bear in its natural habitat. The exhibit was formerly home to Magnet the polar bear. Magnet was born in 1988 at the Toledo Zoo in Ohio and arrived at the zoo in 1991. He won the Beast in Show contest put forth by Microsoft's Zoo Tycoon for best zoo animal in December 2001. Magnet was available as a downloadable patch for the game and during the game, polar bears purchased via the Magnet icon would play with a red ball. The real Magnet was euthanized in April 2015 due to kidney disease. During his later years, he lived with two female polar bears, Alaska and Anoki, but did not produce any offspring. Beginning in March 2017, the Polar Bear Watch became home to two rescued orphaned grizzly bear cubs. They were named Nova and Nita after the names were chosen in a public contest in April 2017. The polar and grizzly bears regularly rotated around each exhibit. As of November 2021, polar bears were removed from the exhibit and the name of the exhibit changed to the Northern Passage. Penguin Coast The Zoo’s state-of-the-art African penguin exhibit located between Northern Passage and African Journey, opened on September 27, 2014. It brings guests up-close to nearly 60 (and growing) African black-footed penguins, white-breasted cormorants, and Great white pelicans in a vivid re-creation of their natural habitat along the coasts and islands of South Africa. There is an underwater viewing window and view to a tidal pool that creates a wave-like effect for the birds. The Zoo gives guests an extra peek into the lives of the penguins with the opportunity to see them get their daily fill of fish with morning and afternoon feedings. Penguin Coast also includes an interpretive building which includes a multi-purpose room for education programs and animal demonstrations, restrooms, and indoor space for special events. Past animals Snow leopard Gibbon Siberian tiger Hippopotamus Spider monkey Asian elephant Polar bear References External links Zoos in Maryland Landmarks in Baltimore Tourist attractions in Baltimore Buildings and structures in Baltimore 1876 establishments in Maryland Zoos established in 1876