Will these two become parents this year?
Pieces of the Puzzle
Yes, we have begun the ultrasound exams with Chinook! Yes, she is cooperative, and we are very hopeful that this will be the year that once again we will have polar bear cubs at the San Diego Zoo. But how difficult is it to ultrasound a polar bear who is wide awake? The pieces of the puzzle are coming together.
The first puzzle piece, training, was relatively easy. Due to the great trusting relationship between Chinook and her keepers, and the history of learning together, teaching Chinook to roll over and hold went quickly. The next part was to get her to accept the ultrasound gel and actual probe on her belly. Chinook does very well with it all. And please keep in mind she is the only polar bear in the world who is trained for the ultrasound procedure.
We tend to take for granted the use of ultrasound to diagnose pregnancy. It is almost commonplace now. It wasn’t that long ago when ultrasound exams on our giant panda Bai Yun were also history in the making! Again one of the challenges is to find a very small fetus in a very big bear and ensure the safety of Chinook, the veterinarian, and, of course, the ultrasound probe! We are lucky to have many talented folks at the Zoo who have helped in designing and building various pieces of the puzzle. We now have a specially molded probe holder and removable bars on our training crate that allow for better movement of the ultrasound probe.
Every ultrasound image is recorded for review by our veterinary staff. We are confident that “when” (positive thinking) polar bear cubs begin to develop, we will be able to see them well and document another historical event: first-ever in utero polar bears!
Until then, we continue to collect urine and fecal samples to chart Chinook’s hormonal changes and monitor her behavior for dramatic and subtle changes that will alert us to her needs for a successful pregnancy and rearing of polar bear cubs. The cameras, microphones, and recorders are all ready, as long as she chooses those areas to den!
Now that we have all the pieces to the puzzle for our Chinook, it is important to remember that there are many pieces of polar bear reproduction that are missing. Much of our research with polar bear sensory ecology (see post Polar Bears: Getting Ready) will help shed light on pieces of the puzzle that would be very difficult, if not impossible, to do in the Arctic. To be able to document a polar bear pregnancy may give us more information on how to better protect polar bear maternity areas at critical times as more environmental impact jeopardizes the survival of our wild polar bears. How wonderful to be part of keeping polar bears in our future and not just a part of our history.
JoAnne Simerson is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Polar Bears: Dare to Hope.
Update October 28, 2011: Both ultrasound and fecal hormone analysis look possible, but nothing is confirmed yet. Keep everything crossed!
Fingers crossed!! (And toes, and eyes…)
How long does a female polar bear remain fertile?
Typically until early 20s, but we do know of a female in the Arctic that had cubs at 30!
I love bears so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
me 2
Oh my goodness that is such exciting news!!! I am so proud of our zoo and the wonderful keepers. They truely love our animals and the proof is in the babies they help bring into our lives and the world. Great job!!
Oh boy!! Now the waiting game really begins, doesn’t it?? I am really hoping, praying, wishing for one or two cubs inside Chinook! That will be the ultimate cam watching whenever Chinook does have cubs later on. We’re all still in this cub watching withdrawal with no tiny panda cubs to watch this year other than Po in Atlanta who will be a year old in November. Other than that, it’s been baby animal watching on a couple of other zoo cams to take care of the baby animal watching fix!
Chinook, give us something positive, ok?
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Which one likes to change their white fur to black by playing in the dirt and making their fur a new color? I thought the polar bear that is sleeping so much is the one who may be pregnant?
Moderator’s note: Are you thinking of Chinook, who looked like a brown bear one day?! See her photo on Polar Bears Brown & White.
Is it also Tatqiq who likes to sleeps in the mulch pile lately? I think she may be the one who likes to be out there till dusk these days, while Chinook prefers to stay inside after 1pm?
It is sometimes difficult to tell which bear I am looking at on the Polar Cam. =)
I thought Chinook was in her den all the time. I’m talking about later in the day after 3pm when one of the polar bears has dirt all over him or her. Since usually only one bear is shown at a time, I don’t know where the other two are. The bear I’m talking about gets dirt on them almost every day.
I don’t think I will ever forget that amazing photo of JoAnn and other keepers preparing to ultrasound Chinook a year or two ago, with her dark deep eyes shining back with complete trust and how huge she is. I can only imagine how big Kalluk is!!! But they are the most splendid animals, I think, and definitely my favourite species of bears. Thank you so much for the cam, which always makes my day!!
It was Tatqiq who was all dirty this afternoon.
JoAnne, I think you’re doing amazing things with “our” bears. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if there really were cubs?
FANTASTIC!! sounds like all systems are go! Now we wait and watch.
Great news!
I know that Chinook will do us all proud – she is such a sweetie – making us laugh with her funny little antics. Thanks to all of you in the job you are doing (at the end of the day – there must be a lot of satisfaction).
Will be watching and reading the blogs in the next little while.
Go for it!
Wow great news!! Chinook is doing amazing. Fingers crossed for a bundle of joy to arrive safely
Hoping for a heathy cubbie or two, as a earlier post said – we are in cubbie withdrawal. We have gotten so spoiled having a new baby or two to watch each year. This yeas so far seems to be the year of the reds (red pandas), and I’d like to have some white.
Oh lets hope that our beautiful Polar Bear Chinook has babies. I think she deserves some not just us but for her species. Fingers crossed.
what a great job the zoo does on watching all the animals and their babies to come.
Like many others I’m in withdrawls with no panda baby. This will be my first Polar bear baby, sure hope she is going to have a little one or two.
Thank you for the update and the great care you give to the animals.
lu
I just looked at the polar bear ultrasound video and never realized how well Chinook cooperates with the keepers – I guess the feeding at the same time makes all a very nice situation. She is a very big girl – does not look so huge when she is in the plunge. I guess she will be treated with goodies as usual for her cooperation.
Great news! Your zoo staff is always amazing! Wish I lived in San Diego. I’m hoping to come and visit next spring. Polar bear cubs would ‘seal the deal’.
Thanks for sharing. You brighten my day.
Nancy
Can we have a link to the video, please. I tried to find it on the SDZ website a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t. It’s still somewhere, isn’t it?
I found the video by using the search engine with video Chinook ultrasound.
Good luck.
Found it here: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/?bcpid=4552241001&bclid=5172095001&bctid=45811782001
Toward the bottom of the list.
I was wondering if the polar bear gives birth at any special time of day? Like the elephants prefer the early morning.
There doesn’t appear to be any preference, but late night or early morning when the world is very quiet seems to happen more often.
Thank you Joanne for the update on Chinook. I am hoping for 1 cub or maybe 2 polar bear cubs this year.
AMAZING “… only polar bear in the world who is trained for the ultrasound procedure.”! Everyone at the Zoo must be so excited at the prospect of cubbies!! You should also be very proud of the hard work and love you have put towards developing should a trusting relationship with Chinook — and all the animals in your care. It’s must amazing!! Keeping positive thoughts… I feel good about this year — I think we’ll being seeing some cute fuzzy additions to the polar family this year!!
Although I don’t know whether genetic factor determines the number of polar bear cubs, but if so, Chinook must have twin cubs because she and Kalluk also had been born as twins.
Two cubs is the norm, but for a first-time mother, it’s often just a single cub.
Thank you for your answer. Though Chinook would be a first-time mother, she has a “womanish” figure and she gets all the best from keepers, so I hope she will have twins who stay together for companionship like Tatqiq and Kalluk.
Has SDZoo ever had polar bear babies born on site?
Moderator’s note: Yes indeed, but it’s been awhile: 1986 welcomed a cub named Tundra, who now lives at the Indianapolis Zoo.
It is wonderful to hear that Chinook is so cooperative in this ultrasound procedure. And now I can’t wait to hear the outcome down the road. IF she is bearing cubs, when might we expect them to be born?
Moderator’s note: From JoAnne’s post, Polar Bears: Dare to Hope: If gestation is 195 to 265 days for a polar bears, then from the 10 days of breeding, Chinook would be due between August 28 and November 16.
I am curious about the viewing window/screen area. Watching today, I saw a group of zoo visitors with a costumed polar bear jumping and waving at the bears. It looked like some of the children were also doing ‘jumping-jacks’.
Kalluk and Tatqiq seems agitated by this. She was pushing at the screen, then digging at the base. When her brother arrived and wanted to get close, the two snapped at each other. Is this planned? It was interesting but also a little disturbing to watch them upset by this.
Your people at the zoo always seems to do what is best for the animals, hence my confusion.
Thanks,
Nancy
San Diego Zoo responds: Nancy, thanks for noticing the change. The event you saw was both enrichment for the bears as well as an opportunity for the San Diego Zoo to participate in a worldwide event led by First Lady Michelle Obama and health organizations to get people leading active and healthy lifestyles. It was part of the attempt to break the world record for the number of people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period. We had a group of about a dozen kids as well as Churchill P. Bear, one of our costumed characters, participating at this location. Other than the momentary brother-sister disagreement over the prime spot for watching Churchill and the kids, the keepers present thought that the reaction of the bears was mentally stimulating and positive.
Does P stand for “Polar”?
I too watched the spat between the polar bears, I didn’t know for sure if it was the brother & sister. But, it really bothered me. I could not tell what was going on on the other side of the fence. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you.
As I said, I trusted that everyone there always keeps in mind what is best for these bears. Keep up your great work!
Nancy
Awesome, JoAnne ~ both the ultrasound procedure being the ONLY on a polar bear, and totally awesome that our Chinook is willing to participate. Thank you for the update! Keep ‘em coming!!
I haven’t seen sweet Chinook in almost a week! Is everything ok with her? I’m hoping her absence will mean some good news in the coming days.
We all know a “watched pot never boils” but the time is ticking away…tick tock, tick tock. Is Chinook showing any new details that might lead you to suspect a preganancy. Rearranging her den, sleeping a lot, eating more or less. We will all hang on any detail you can share. Thanks…
Nothing confirmed, so keep those “everythings” crossed!
Love this shot! Which bear has suddenly taken to resting their head, chest and front legs on the floating log while letting the rest of their body just relax and float in the water? I noticed this last week too and they seem so cool, comfy and content!!
Chinook! Chinook typically has time on exhibit in the morning by herself, and she usually sits up by the waterfall. Today we had her out in the afternoon and she did a long soak on her log.
Lovely to see Chinook enjoying herself this way! I too saw the camera shots, and the content look on Chinook’s face just spells “luxury spa”!
I’m so glad you had Chinook out yesterday – I was so excited to see her! Is there any reason she hasn’t been out much? I love it when she floats on that log, but my favorite is when she swims laps and does the backwards somersault kick turn against the glass!
How lovely! Thank you for the response! She does look super comfortable in that position, and may I say rather like a very pregnant woman just cooling off but too heavy to overtax herself?
Curious to know if polar bears have pseudo pregnancies as panda bears do?
JoAnne responds: It is believed that they do, but very difficult to confirm without ultrasound. There can be lost pregnancies, the fetus may be absorbed if the pregnancy has issues or if a bear miscarried it would be difficult to see. We are still learning so much.
Hey, what’s up with the polar bear cam?? Just got on the cam page and it said that the cam was unavailable! Anything wrong with it or is it down for regular maintenance? Just wanted to see the polar bears doing their thing on the cam! Let us know what’s going on with the cam, ok?
Thanks,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator’s note: It seems to be working now.
Was just watching a little boxing match with Kalluk and Tatqiq at the water fall. Though he is so much bigger than she, she really does get the upper hand (paw) sometimes. He turned to run away and she followed, running after him in hot pursuit on hind legs! Never seen that before!!
Passionate princess Tatqiq. I was also lucky to see this fantastic pursuit I found it very funny. I didn’t think polar bears can run on hind legs, may be not all of them can do. Yesterday the little pool at the waterfall was particularly important for them.
I would like to ask from moderator or keepers: when will Churchill the P. bear and kids come to entertain the bears nex time? I don’t want to miss it, last time twins were very interested.
Moderator’s note: We’ll try to let viewers know when the next polar bear activity is planned. Sometimes, though, it’s just spontaneous!
LOL!!! I’d have loved to see them running on hind legs, seriously!
I just LOVE the brother-sister pair play-fight together. They are such fun to watch.
After what happened at the Toronto Zoo on Thursday with the female polar bear killing her newborns, I am so concerned about Chinook, if she is pregnant. I expect that there is a plan in place in case she delivers cubs, to ensure nothing bad happens, and I do hope that she is not stressed at the time of delivery. I guess that polar bears in captivity do not do that well as parents.
San Diego Zoo Global responds: Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately, carnivore species, particularly first-time moms, have a high risk of infant mortality. San Diego Zoo Global animal care staff work to monitor the birth of all animals so they can intervene if necessary.
As painful as it is for us to hear about, it’s not uncommon for the mother to eat dead cubs. I’ve always thought it was about recovering the protein, which would be important to her if she were surviving in the wild. So that part of it is normal.
As for why she did it or whether she knew the cubs were born too early, that seems cloudy. Only Aurora knows. I think it may have been that she panicked at the idea that these three things had dropped out of her. And it was painful. She’s a mature bear (10 years old), but has never had cubs before.
The one cub still seems to be surviving, so focus your hope on that. Even if Aurora appears to be a not-so-good mother, I’m sure the staff at the Toronto Zoo will be doting parents.
Just read a couple of comments about one of the polar bears running on hind legs?!? I hope there is a video of that because I missed it!! That had to be a hilarious sight to see!
Still praying for Chinook and her pregnancy progress!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Just watching a polar bear (which one?) at the netting area. Is a keeper feeding him/her treats. Sorry don’t really know these bears, but hope there is news of a cub in the near future.
Moderator’s note: We have an experience wall where guests can watch the keeper interact with the bears and feed them treats.
Is there any particular day of the week or time of the day when the keeper interaction takes place? I never seem to be there at the right time.
Moderator’s note: The keepers change it up every day so the bears don’t anticipate the fun.
Still have my finger crossed.
After going camping, my son’s stuffed polar bear now looks like the real ones. LOL They are so much fun to watch. Thanks for everyone’s efforts with the polar bears.
Any more recent developments with Chinook ? Does she seem interested in dening? Ultrasounds, showing a glimmer of hope ? I noticed when I saw her yesterday, she’s still looking kinda plump, so fingers and toes are still crossed !
There’s pretty much only a month left, before we find out for sure, right ?
I’ve always noticed that Chinook seems to have a very long beard under her chin, and recently Tatqiq (who used to barely have a beard) seems to be getting a much longer beard. Is there a reason for this, or am I seeing things?? Thanks!
No, you’re not seeing things. It does look longer this year. It’s a result of longer fur around the neck area. Tatqiq is now turning 11 this year and is maturing. In the Arctic, polar bears’ fur is much more dense and their fat around their neck is thicker so you don’t notice the difference. Unfortunately, since females aren’t getting as much time on the ice to hunt, we are noticing their “beards” more now, too.
Thank you so much for responding JoAnne! I was thinking it was some hormonal change since Kalluk’s hasn’t seemed to grow longer at all. Thanks again!
Those polar bears just love the palm frons. How did you all know that they would or was it by chance? i enjoy seeing them cuddle up w/ them. Finger crossed still for chinook thanks!!
been wondering how Chinook will know her den. won’t she be looking to dig a den or is that not a an instinct for a bear to dig (create) their den?
We have set her up with a few options to choose from, along with bedding she may also move around. Our hope is that although in the wild she would dig a den, here she doesn’t need to do that to have a safe, secluded, and secure area to give birth.
From the looks and size of Chinook – she just has to be with cubs, otherwise she should be on a diet – LOL
Does the climate temperture have any determination in female polar bears digging their den or the delayed implantation of her eggs?
The determining factor for a female polar bear is body condition. If she has bred and indeed has a fertilized egg, then if she is in good enough body condition she will dig her den and give birth. We are not sure which comes first, as non-pregnant females do not dig dens, so we suspect implantation impacts the drive for denning. But this is not known absolutely. Research has shown that females that enter a den at under 180 kilograms (397 pounds) do not successfully rear cubs, so body condition is the main determination. Also impacting the den can be noise or disturbance that may cause a female to use more energy and not conserve it for the cubs.
Hi JoAnne,
I have heard of females going through the motions of den-building, even when they’re not pregnant. Perhaps some of it is habit from having raised cubs before?
Does the amount of daylight (latitude) influence denning? I would think San Diego has less variability than in the Arctic.
Thank you for the polar cam and the blog! Any chance of the time lapse option for missed viewing days like the panda cam?
Moderator’s note: Perhaps some day, but it is an expensive feature to add.
That is unknown as well. Chinook’s den choices all provide darkness so she can be comfortable and rest. We also don’t know how much light influences breeding seasons either, but for the most part historically polar bears in San Diego have bred in March and April and given birth in late October and November, which is similar to wild bears.
Hello over there<3 Exiting waw''' maybe a little Bear Cub– we are watching very ofen, — maybe web cam in the Den if????
Gretings from Copenhagen Denmark
When you speak of Chinook’s bedding material to be moved around, at the various possible den sites, does she also have “digging” material to play with, just to go with the natural motions of a denning behaviour, for example mulch or dirt she can paw at around and inside a den/cave/cubby that you have set up for her, so she can feel like she is making a home for her cubbing! I can’t think of a better sign than her actually starting to make a den by digging and pawing in a particular spot!
She currently is “digging” and “pawing” a bale of bermuda hay. It’s soft, and clean, and besides burlap is one of Chinook’s all-time favorite bedding materials.
Thank you for the response, JoAnne! It sounds like she has very exquisite taste and a sweet and comfy bed! If she does have cubs I am sure she will introduce them to all her favourite things!! Knowing the time frame I can imagine everyone is on pins and needles right now!
I know this comment has nothing to do with the subject matter, but I was wondering what happened to all of the polars that used to be out? It’s been a while since I’ve been on this site, and there used to be 3 of them; now for the past couple of days, I only see one. I used to love watching them. Thank you for your update.
Moderator’s note: We still have our three adult bears, but they often take turns on exhibit, perhaps two out in the morning and one out in the afternoon. As you may have read, we are hoping Chinook is pregnant, and staff is keeping an extra eye on her these days, catering to her every whim.
Y’all are so lucky to have a job that involves catering to her every whim! I love all three of those bears so much, but Chinook definitely holds a special place in my heart! Nothing would make me happier than for her to have little Kallnook cubs
10/26/11
Thank you for your update. I am now watching two of them in the pool. They look like they are having so much fun. They are just gorgeous.
We are (not-so) patiently awaiting another update!! Any news?
+ 1 =)
I agree…are signs still positive or are you starting to see behavior that’s not conducive to pregnancy at this time.
Gosh… any day now I expect to check the panda cam and see a very dark screen with the blur of 2 tiny cubbies… and one big mama bear. Pins and needles, pins and needles — but no pressure Chinook — we’re just dying over here!!
Yippeee! Fun bright yellow oval balls in the plunge! Honestly, I get just as excited over a new enhancement toy as they do!
Off to watch more playtime!!
Hey look thers a big brown bear in the plunge naw its just kulluk boy has he been in the mulch bed hes one big dirty polar bear time for a bath kulluk you must keep up with your grooming after all you may be a dad any day now love you all Barbara from Phoenix. hope hope hope !!!!!
who is the new bear and why is it brown? I have not been on the polarcam today and just got home and wow – who is that?
That is our Dear Kalluk the maybe dad to be soon hope hope hope I thought the same thing when I first saw him yesterday he was one very dirty polar bear bless his big polar bear heart they should have a contest see who can be the king or queen of the mulch pile my vote goes to Chinook one time I tuned into the plunge and Chinook was on this mound some where in the plunge I want to tell you there was no white any where on thats girls body. Wonder how they keep the pool so very clean great job guys thanks a million times as always for all you do how much more of a time line do we have to wait untill we know Barbara from Phoenix
Any updates for us web camers,any babies coming? They are all so cute and funny. What a thrill and joy it is for those who cannot make it to your zoo, to be able to share your love of these animals. Thank you for your passion and hard work talking care of them.
Both ultrasound and fecal hormone analysis look possible, but nothing confirmed yet. Keep everything crossed!
I am curious as to Chinook’s choices to den in! Are they shaped like little cozy caves with bedding so it recreates the look of a real den in the wild?
One is, one is adjacent and larger with mats on the floors and enclosed with wood on all doors, the third is just a regular room with only a few mats. All are connected. Her preferences are the two larger rooms right now, with a bale a of hay she moves about depending on where she sleeps.
Thank you, JoAnne! That is neat to hear her various choices and what she is presently most comfy in! I had a weird dream that she gave birth to 2 cubs when no one noticed, but in a large bedroom with straw or hay all around, almost like a stable, and all of you went in one morning and there she was, proud as can be, showing two tiny cubs! Wishful thinking I am sure, but it was November 8th, so just in case….lol
There is a beautiful bearded bear by the interaction window. Is that Tatqiq with her new beard? Gorgeous photo shot!
I have a question. Being that Chinook may be with cub(s), and maybe this has already been answered, but I just didnt see it. Has her diet changed ? Is there more of a certain food that her keepers are giving her, is there less of something else she usually eats, and is not getting at this time ? I would imagine, that her dietary needs have changed some, in order to keep up with the possibility of a cub(s) growing inside her. Of course I can see she is more round now, but that could just be expansion, or making room for the cub(s), and not weight gain, yes ?
Thanks
You couldn’t have posed that polar bear asleep holding a pumpkin!!!
Kalluk looked just like a kid, napping while cuddling his teddy bear–only it was a jack-o-lantern!!– with its face looking at us. A snapshot of that would have made fantastic photo for an October calendar page.
Bear needs a bath.
Will you starting a birth watch?
Chinook….hint, hint….it’s November.
Out of curiosity, is Chinook still super chubby or has she lost/gained any weight in the past month or two? Also, is there a traditional time that polar bears give birth? During the night, early morning hours, or just when it is time?
While waiting for Chinook to produce cubs [think positive] you can catch some Polar Bear Cam Action at explore.org. They have 2 different cams set up at Manitoba to view the bears in their natural setting.
Jan in Richmond…I sow them..thay are real beatifulll…
Dear Chinook…are feel goed??? we’r weiting…
As the window of a potential birth(s) closes in, (Nov 16th I believe is the latest date given), we have just 2 weeks left. Are there any more updates ? Is it possible that window of potential birth(s) may be expanded into late November / early December?
Any news shared, is better then no news shared. =)
Is that Chinook watching another bear bathing in the waterfall pool? Whomever it is reminds me a lot of Eeyore…swaying back and forth, head down low, humming softly to themselves!
Chinook sweetheart… we’re dying over here on the other side of the monitor!!
Hmmm…looking at a very black and white bear. If that is Chinook her belly doesn’t look anywhere near as big as it did during the summer.
Hundredth. I read the old entries about the bears, and noticed that up to 2009 many posts was written by Kelly Murphy senior keeper but since then nothing by her name. She also seemed committed to bears. Does she still work with the bears?
Any news about Chinook?
Moderator’s note: Kelly now works with the Zoo’s other bear species.
Assuming that is Chinook out and about this morning (9:00am), from this angle she is no longer looking as round as she had in the past recent months. =(
I correct myself. I now see it’s the star duo on exhibit. =)
Watching Tatqiq and Kalluk sniffing around the plunge and playing a bit! Still no news of Chinook. Have we given up hope for this year? Pretty soon it will be breeding season again!
Keep hoping!!!!!!
All my fingers and toes have cramps… but I’m still keeping them crossed… Chinook… anytime now sweetheart, anytime… we love you, but the suspense is killing me. Killing me!
I’ve decided that no news is good news… yup — that’s what I’ve decided!
I notice, Chinook is either not out in the last few days maybe longer, after all, or she spends a very limited time out on exhibit. It seems every so often throughout the day that the siblings are on exhibit. Is she choosing not to go out lately, or are her keepers keeping her in right now ?
Chinook is given the opportunity to go on exhibit every day and stay as long or as short as she chooses.
I have been getting a real dose of polar bears. The migration of the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba is really interesting – just this morning I saw five in a row walking through the snow – they seem to be have one great snow storm – soon they will be lost is the snow.
Great watching!
Moderator’s note: What a wonderful site that must be!
The site is explore.org. It is great to see such big beautiful creatures but is too bad that their situation is not the greatest.
I’ve been watching that site, too! It is stunning to see the arctic tundra and the bears make me so sad, just sitting, waiting for the ice to freeze over so they can get on with their lives. I am hoping that huge storm in Alaska heads to Churchill to help build the snow and ice for them.
Beautiful bear sleeping on top of a stone shelf. Who is this? They look so pretty with those dark eyes and noses!!
Everytime I think I see Chinook out on exhibit, (short window of opportunity to figure out who is out and about) we get a water shot, but there’s no one manning the cam, so no land shots. Was hoping that was Chinook who was playing ball with the ledge, but cant tell. Is anyone manning the camera this morning ?
Moderator’s note: Yes.
That is one dirty polar bear wasn’t sure if it was one or a rock! LOL
11/11/11 This date would make a perfect polar bear cub[s] birthday.
Had an awesome dream last night: Chinook was pregnant with a single cub – a male! Hope it comes true!!
Who is the very bearded bear out with Kalluk right now? Is that Tatqiq or Chinook? If it is Tatqiq, is that because she is now mature? And what is going on with Chinook? Did she have any cubs? Is she in the other closure? Is there a cam in there so we can see her? Is everything okay?
Moderator’s Note: Everything is ok with Chinook. We are still waiting and have not completely given up hope for cubs. In the event chinook does give birth we can put it on the polar cam for viewing. If you see two bears for now it is always Kalluk and Tatqiq.
Good to hear she is okay. Still hoping for a cub but it seems time is pretty much running out. Maybe she will surprise us! Wow, Tatqiq really has grown quite a silky looking beard!
I was just wondering what separates the reindeers from the polar bears because on the webcam it looks like they can see them pretty well but it doesn’t seem to phase the polar bears that they are there.
Moderator’s Note: There is a 20 foot fence separating reindeer and polar bears. Both are well adapted to each others presence.
That must be some good smelling mulch… those bears just can’t get enough of it. Feel sorry for whoever has to clean up the plunge — those filters must be working overtime.
Hmmm… very strange weather outside, very interesting date (11-11-11) — I really feel like something’s going to happen today… hmmm… what could it be, what could it be?
Polar bears are lightning-free? or they don’t know it is dangerous.
Hi, everything crossed for some cubs this year! Just wondering if someone can shed some light on the quality of the polar cam? I have recently been away and upon returning have noticed that the cam doesn’t seem to be high definition anymore….or is it just my eyes…? Haha!
Keep up the good work with the bears!
Regards, Mia, UK
Moderator’s note: We haven’t made any changes to Polar Cam; you should still be able to see it in high definition.
Thanks for your reply, I better go for an eye test…haha!
good morning .. looks like a beautiful day after a rainy day there yesterday …camera people any chance of cleaning the lens off it’s all spotted from the rain thanks!
If Chinook does have cubs won’t Kalluk have to be separated from them ?
Also wondering if Tatqiq will have to be kept away….
Moderator’s note: Yes, Chinook and any cub(s) would be housed apart from Kalluk and Tatqiq.
And I know its off topic but I couldnt find any other place to comment but isnt Sunny a star… I can’t believe a fearsome reptile like a komodo dragon comes when he’s called by is keeper..
Can’t help wondering but is he Sunny or is that a typo ? I did wonder if he’s actually Sonny which somehow seems more appropriate considering his seemingly and suprisingly mild disposition. Great video.
Moderator’s note: Glad you enjoyed the video featuring Sunny! His name is spelled correctly. This was the name given to him by the zoo he came from.
Cubs are born right up until [more or less] Christmas, aren’t they?
If we have to wait until Christmas I’ll have gone mad by then. This waiting is killing me. LOL
Hi JoAnne.
Just returned from Churchill two weeks ago and I heard your name being mentioned at least 3 different times at the Park Interpretative Center. Once from the park ranger and twice from different tourists visiting the center. I believe one of them mentioned she’s worked with you. Even our shuttle driver mentioned you. You’re quite the rock star up there!
Highly recommend everyone visit the area if they can. The bears are amazing.
Moderator’s note: JoAnne knows her stuff when it comes to polar bears! We are lucky to have her.
For the past a couple of days, Princess Tatqiq and Kalluk the Athlete have taken up their spots near the experience wall. Tatqiq likes to lie down on top of the rock platform, while Kalluk sits near the glass and digs around sand to make his sand bed. So lovely to see the pair together on the camera.
On a different note, I saw a visitor on the other side of viewing glass yesterday. He tried to imitate a bear’s roar, in an obvious attempt to get Kalluk’s attention. He got more than what he bargained for. Kalluk jumped up, roaring, and ran toward the glass, scaring off the visitor who took off running. It was really good lesson to have witnessed online: NEVER, EVER, EVER PROVOKE THESE ANIMALS even though they are behind the fence or glass!
And so I wonder…recently when going to http://www.sandiegozoo.org, the home page features rotating photos of the polar bear exhibit. So is this a sneaky way to help let us know that this area of the zoo will be THE place to be because we’ll soon learn about the pitter patter of tiny cub feet?? So curious…so patient…so hopeful!!
So — as I sit here and realize it’s Nov. 15th — and still no sign of cubbies — I’m feeling a bit blue… I really thought it would have happened by now — and although there is no sign of our sweet girl Chinook… I fear our hopes are dimming. Will keep checking back daily… but alas — not as excitedly as before.
Good morning Keepers ! Was checking in, as today is the16th. Wondering if the window of opportunity for a cub(s) has closed, or if there is still a glimmer of hope ?
Still keeping everything crossed !! =) I think that’s Chinook im seeing on exhibit this morning.
Moderator’s note: We have not given up hope, yet.
Don’t give up hope! Knut, the polar bear born in Berlin Zoo (I think in 1995) was born on December 5 of that year!!!!! There is still hope!
Each morning I check the cam and blog to see if anything has happened. Every night before turning the computer off I check and say a little prayer to the darkness. Either way, we love you Chinook! ♥ We love all three of you beautiful arctic bears!
Still hoping….
Any signs of tiny little polar bear fetuses in Chinook’s uterus?
Moderator’s note: Chinook has not wanted to participate in ultrasounds these last few weeks.
Hmmm. A sign maybe of what may be to come ? Hopefully !!
That mean bear! If she was the bear I watched walk past the camera several minutes ago (in front of a very dirty bear), she looked pregnant to me. LOL
This is surprising, she, who was so cooperative previously, she must feel something unusual and she doesn’t want to share her precious tummy anymore even with her keepers. There is keeper at night too? And medical assistance?
I check in everyday all the way from bonnie Scotland, desperate for some news. I hope I can one day come and visit your 3 beautiful bears.xxxxx
I do love watching the bears take their afternoon naps — they have the sweetest looks on their faces — and seem so comfy — no matter if its on a little patch of grass, in the mud, sand or on a rock — just sweet, sweet content faces.
Polar bear team is this different behavior from Ms. Chinook about her not wanting to participate with the ultra sound from past. Do we dare hope that this might be it ! Take care every body we will be holding our breath for the next week or so. Barbara from Phx!!!! hope hope hope !!!!
Oooh, that is interesting that she doesn’t want to have her ultrasounds! Sounds like she is getting into protective mode or maybe is associating the weird tummy feelings inside of her with ultrasounds, so no touching her! Maybe she wants to wait a wee bit longer! This brings more hope to me. I know she loved those snacks!!
Other than Chinook ditching her ultra-sound appointments, have her keepers noticed any behaviors that wouldn’t seem part of her normal routine?
CUTEST shot this morning — 10:30 pst — Kalluk and Tatqiq napping together in the dirt — so sweet — they do love each other!
Oh my there are two silly polar bears (I think they are polar Bears) or is it the dirt again. I think they deserve a bubble bath and maybe carrot sundae.
It is 1:07pm, PST, and I see a Chinook waiting by the waterfall to enter inside. She looks plumper than before, so I am still keeping my hopes up and fingers crossed!
A VERY comfortably relaxed bear is lying on its belly and sleeping in the mulch pile. I so wish I was there up and close to take a picture of this sight. So cute and it made me smile!
Aww..I keep missing Chinook! I am presently admiring Kalluk taking the most relaxing nap I have ever seen. Imagine if he only knew he might be a Daddy soon! He is such a couch potato right now! Or is that a mulch potato?!!
(lol) …Tatiqiq’s the one who looks preggie–with her ‘TeleTubby’ shaped body. What are the chances of a brother & sister ever mating??
Google translates: I’m probably one of Russia to observe the animals in your zoo. I love to look at the panda and polar bears. But why bears gray? They are dirty?
Moderator’s note: Our bears often like to roll in dirt provided by their keepers.
so cute love pandas and polar bears song that i made up with my friends that like p animals song p animals p animals ppppp animals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!i love puppys polar bears pigs pandas and pigeons