Tatqiq shakes off after a swim at the San Diego Zoo.
While at the conference, I presented results from our research on the hearing sensitivity of the polar bear (see post, Can You Hear Me Now?). This research, sponsored by Polar Bears International, is a first-ever attempt to thoroughly describe the hearing capability of the species.
Interest in polar bear hearing developed out of concern that female polar bears in maternal dens on the North Slope of Alaska might be disturbed by the noise emitted from extraction industry activities in the same area. Although we still have much to learn on this issue, our research (a collaborative effort with Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute) has shown that polar bears do hear quite well. Once our results are accepted for publication in a scientific journal, I can go into more detail in a future post.
After presenting our work, I was struck by how much positive feedback I received, as well as how different our research was compared to most of the other fine work that was presented. The polar bear hearing study exemplified research that could only be done in the zoological setting. Although the majority of conservation research is best conducted in the habitat where the animals live, sometimes the best information is achieved in a setting where the animals can be viewed up close and personal or where the relationship between keepers and the animals in their charge might enhance sample or data collection. This is the case for the polar bear hearing study, as well as several other polar bear projects, and those with other species.
At the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research, we conduct research all around the world, but we also focus on the species that live right here at the San Diego Zoo or at the Wild Animal Park. For examples, please visit www.sandiegozoo.org/conservation.
Megan Owen is a conservation program specialist for the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research.
Thanks for the update, Megan. It sounds like it was a very rewarding conference. I have always been intrigued about the SDZ Polar Bear hearing research, and look forward to getting tidbits about the results when they are posted. Hopefully you will be able to publish your findings soon in a prestigious scientific journal and can share them here in “laymen’s terms.”
The SDZ trio are very special animals indeed. I really enjoyed the article and photos in the February 2010 ZooNooz about the new interactive wall in Polar Bear Plunge. The new exhibit features sound like a fabulous visitor, and polar bear and keeper, opportunity for enrichment.
Megan, can you please write about the result of your findings? A summary will do.
Just eager to know exactly how good polar bears’ hearing capability, and surely how much we distract & disturb them with our man-made noises. Thanks.
see 2 bears ‘rasslin, plungin and fake chewing on each other… what a morning!
The camera make a very close up shot to one bear. I can clearly see that he or she is sleeping very well. His/her tummy moving up and down evenly when breathing.
Did the bears have a snow day this week? It looks like snow at the edge of the exhibit. I don’t remember reading anything about San Diego getting part of the snow that has moved completely across the country in the past three days.
Moderator’s note: No snow day.
#5, thanks Moderator for clarification. With more daylight and camera closeup I can now see it is very white concrete. Looked a lot like piles of snow at the edge of mulch in twilight. I know that is not where snow days are normally held, and it didn’t make sense since the exhibit is closed, but thought I would ask.
We are snowed under in VA. We were supposed to get 8-12 inches but already have over a foot of snow. I hope that there is more than predicted in Northern VA-DC so Tai Shan can enjoy his last snow fall in USA. I haven’t seen whether Atlanta got any or not, but hope so for Mei Lan to get use to the stuff before she encounters it in China. If my memory serves me correctly Chengdu is lower elevation and doesn’t get as much snow as Wolong.
Tatqiq? must be having a great time under the ledge at 4 PM PST. She is playing peek a boo, and keeps popping her head out and sniffing the air and listening like something is going on. I wonder if a bus just drove by and she heard a familar narrator? She isn’t moving from her comfy perch so I doubt it is a keeper doing something nearby. She is a lot of fun to watch investigating her surroundings as reported above. I have seen her under this spot several times in the past week or so. Is it one of her favorite spots, or are you encouraging her to go there by putting out interesting enrichment. As breeding season approaches, will you be giving her special things to keep her occupied as her presence is less desired by the lovebirds, particularly Chinook?
I like watching the polar bears eat their carrots. It is real healthy for them. I also like watching the bears play in the water. They really have a lot of fun. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be a polar bear at the San Diego Zoo. I bet I would have loads of fun.
I am watching a polar bear (Tatqiq?) sleeping peacefully, and I can’t help but notice that its belly is particularly round and kind of big compared to the rest of its body. I know that we have confirmation Chinook is NOT pregnant, but I wonder if that’s what she would look like if she were gestating!!!
Two bears, two plastic tubs – who’s going to be the first to grab one?
I just tuned in at 12:18 PST, a bear is swimming merrily in the pool. He/she is doing the circles around the pool and coming up the shore over again and again. The Panda Cam’s wet tree trunks tells me that it is currently raining in SD, so I am sure that particular bear is enjoying lots of water today!
The pool was very busy Saturday afternoon. A grubby Chinook was practising her laps, someone was guarding their carrots while watching the fun (until they couldn’t resist and had to join in) and another pounced on the water by the table with a huge splash, then bounced off the table to attack Chinook in the middle of her lap. The water got quite rough for a moment there. The pouncing bear (Tatqiq?) then played with various toys, finishing up with a blue ball. They are very good at throwing the ball aren’t they? I always think, when I watch scenes like this, what gloriously happy bears you have; it shows.