Fortunately, Kalluk seemed to take to his new friend and happily spent the day playing with and cuddling up to the painted doll.

The play session formed part of the zoo's annual Bear Awareness Days which aims to promote the various conservation projects it is involved with.

A zoo spokesman said his colour not only aimed to draw attention to the plight of the polar bear, but also served as an opportunity for keepers to speak about the zoo's ongoing conservation efforts taking place with other species such as the black bear and giant panda.

He added the doll was just one of the "many enrichment items" planned for Bear Awareness Days at the San Diego Zoo with other programmes taking place such as the Polar Bear Plunge where the animal's enclosure is completely covered with a layer of ice.

The zoo is currently working on more than eight conservation projects, including a partnership with Polar Bears International which aims to establish a program called Arctic Ambassadors with other researchers across the globe.