Kalluk
There are also great replicas of ring seals that you can actually get a photo with as you pop out of a seal hole. The ring seal has great, long whiskers that it uses like fingers to feel its way in dark water; our ring seals also have these! Only a few more days until everyone gets to enjoy these experiences!
The keepers have been busy with media interviews, final touches on the other animal exhibits, and, of course, taking care of our cool trio. We are still awaiting the arrival of our Arctic fox pair, but until then you will also get to see two other North American residents: our raccoon, Granite, and a beautiful great-horned owl, Shaman. We will also soon have a few more reindeer to add to our herd just behind the new management yard that we’ve nicknamed Polar Bear Park.
This past week, all of our bears have had the ability to go out into the Park with its great long, lush green grass. Tatqiq now regularly chooses to spend the night staring at the stars and smelling the spring grass. And yes, with spring comes breeding season. Kalluk and Chinook are definitely occupied with attempting to keep us all on pins and needles for the coming fall, as we get the constantly asked question, “Is she?”
Kalluk has become so intent this year that when Chinook positions herself so that he can’t be near her, we see him walk back and forth, always looking at her. You would think he would be exhausted! But no, he’s always ready when she is. And now this is where the real countdown begins. Polar bears have delayed implantation, and this creates a gestation of 195 to 265 days. Counting from the first actual breeding we observed, we will all be watching diligently from October 1 to December 9 of this year. And possibly longer, depending on how long breeding season continues. You didn’t think this was going to be easy, did you?
Come spend your time waiting with us, and explore all the new fun beginning at noon on March 26!
JoAnne Simerson is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Polar Bears: Crash, Slurp, and Shadow.
This all sounds so good JoAnne. I think the new polar bear statues are going to be magnificent, and very popular. I loved the ones you had before as I had never seen anything like it. But most importantly, this is for the bears and somehow I think they love it already.
I cannot wait for this to open as I will be there next weekend all the way from New Hampshire. I am sure all the people involed will be very proud of these improvements, especially the trio.
Great job SDZ. See you on the 2nd.
I saw Kalluk delivering loving kisses on Chinook’s side, while she was ignoring him and eating carrots. The males are big, but although it’s a lot more subtle, it always amazes me how much power the females wield in the polar bear world!
What’s Tatqiq doing with her time as a single lady?
Hi JoAnne. Is it probable that even though Chinook and Kalluk will mate more then a few times, this 2nd go’round, that implantaion may again not take effect ? Is it common for implantaion not to happen the first mating season, but the 2nd time, 2nd season, implantaion could very well likely take effect ? Having a hard time getting my words out today (any my typing) so hope I didnt confuse you. Thanx again JoAnne.
Mmmmm..carrots or Kalluk. Now there’s a difficult decision. I guess the carrots won this time!
I’m not sure if conception can take place this early, but I do know that ovulation doesn’t take place until mating has actually begun. That may explain that while Kalluk is obsessional — her big white shadow! — Chinook’s interest is apparently tepid at this point. Her body is just gearing up for the whole process. Last year she seemed to go through two or three cycles, without result. I don’t think anyone knows how likely she is to continue to mate after she has conceived. If conception is more likely later rather than earlier, then it does make some sense. Just like with human beings, there are obviously a lot of variables.
I’m so excited I can’t wait for my trip down to the sdz come mid April. Do you have any idea of when you will actually be receiving the artic fox pair? This time I must share my timing wisely with my favorite trio and the baby panda. Then I get to spend the next day at the wild animal park. How I love being a member, I just received my new member window cling and it’s a polar bear. I just love it! I’ll be watching the camera on Friday to see the grand opening. Thanks for the update and for everything that you do for all animals alike.
Moderator’s note: No date for the foxes’ arrival yet.
#4 Lainie
Anything is possible. We really don’t know exactly what happens during breeding for polar bears and the timing of it all. It is thought that females ovulate during the actual breeding (induced ovulation), and some believe that once this happens, the female will end her breeding season. Others think that it’s possible that she may have another season within the annual season, whether she has a fertilized egg or not. We do know that some females have had litters where the cubs have different fathers. So much still learn!
My grandson, Lucas (7th grade), is to do a zoo project that will include a polar bear habitat. We have looked at your new facility for your 3 bears and got lots of ideas for his 3-D model. Can you tell us how you determine the space required for this facility? He needs to do his polar bear habitat to scale of 0.5 cm/1 m. His zoo must fit in a 6 acre lot and we need to determine the size of the living area of the habitat. This is due April 2 – we would appreciate hearing from you soon. Your zoo is awesome!
Thanks & good luck with your opening.
Spring blessings,
Ginny Muttera
Dallas, TX
And sometimes I think our observations are colored by what we regard as culturally normal for HUMAN breeding behaviors. If polar bear females are being driven by hormones, their bodies are telling them about the important of reproducing as efficiently as possible and it seems to me absolutely natural that they should seek out multiple partners. And if she’s enjoying the attention and having a good time doing it, why not do it some more? We frown on it when human females do such things. I think Queen Victoria comes into it …
My goodness, when it gets down to it, it gets a little complicated. I wasn’t able to make it to SDZ with the panda convention. Now this gives me other special things to look forward to, when I finally get there. I don’t remember where I saw it, (it may have been pandas live on or pandas international) but I saw a picture of the artist and, I assume, the male bear statue. Very impressive. I’m more convinced than ever that I will definitely need a week to see it all!
Great report, JoAnne. Thanks.
#9 Ginny
We design our exhibit sizes following regulations determined by USDA and any standards determined by our accrediting organization, AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums), and then look at how much space we have available so we can build the best exhibit for the species we can!
The main exhibit, not including the pool, is over 8,000 square feet. The pool slopes down to a depth of 12 feet and holds 130,000 gallons of chilled water with a surface area of 3,000 feet. Our “polar bear park” management yard is approximately 4,000 square feet and with a pool that slopes to 5 feet.
I think I saw Chinook chasing Kalluk away this morning. What was that all about? Did she have a headache?
I hope the opening of the new Polar Bear Plunge goes well for you tomorrow. Wish I was there in person but I will be in spirit.
Chinook is all on her own today doing her laps.
Moderator’s note: Thank you, Susan. It’s a big day for the Zoo!
Thank you for your prompt reply. Wish we could be there for your big day. I was a guest of Mrs. Weiner
several years ago and visited your zoo (had a great lunch) and saw the pandas up close. Hope to bring my grandchildren so Lucas can see the polar bear habitat for real. With your help, maybe he will make a good grade on his zoo model.
I just played the ‘The Walk’ game. Let’s forget the score shall we!
Oohh I really hope Chinook gets pregnant this year!!! I like to think about what the cub (or cubs!
would look like with a combination of a BEAUTIFUL momma and a very handsome daddy!!! Tell Kalluk and Chinook I wish them the best of luck this breeding season!!!
Love and hugs,
Brooklynn
P.S, Please tell Tatqiq I said hi too
#13 Maybe they were just playing tag!!
Its normal for bears to chase each other and it doesnt mean they wanna hurt each other 
love to watch polar bears, keep up the good work thanks