Ah, Chinook!
Her hormone analysis shows similar profiles to other polar bears that have given birth in late November or December. It is also a profile that has not produced cubs. Every year we get a bit better information, but it is still not the perfect test. Chinook’s ultrasound exams also showed promise of her uterus developing as we’d not seen in past years. We also had two exams scheduled where Chinook let us know she did not want to join in. However, this week she enthusiastically participated. We easily could see her uterus but no cubs were to be seen.
So for now we have no easy answer to the question “Is she or isn’t she?” We will continue to care for her as she needs until the time that she shows us she is ready to be out with Kalluk and Tatqiq, and then we’ll have our terrific trio together again or until our beautiful girl has those precious white fur bundles, and we can all know our finger crossing and wishes worked!
JoAnne Simerson is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Polar Bear Ultrasound.
JoAnne, Thanks for the update. Still wishing with fingers crossed here. Love our trio no matter what.
Thanks so much JoAnne for the update ! We’ve all been waiting (im)patiently =) for any news at all if Chinook is with, or without a cub(s). I guess we will all continue to wait (im)patiently for Chinook to let us all know. =)
Well, maybe or maybe not, but like you said, the waiting game continues just in case and it sounds like she gives you the messages to let you know when she is ready to be out with the others. Out of curiosity, if she does not have a cub or two this year will you try and breed her again for the 4th year in a row to Kalluk or do you have other plans in place? Is she possibly past her prime for having cubs now?
Just wondering is Chinook to old to have cubs? Would you ever try with Tatqiq and another bear from another zoo I guess only time will tell I have not givin up hope but if its not ment to be you do have other choises! Barbara from Phoenix
Oh my gosh I hope Tatqiq and Kalluk are never separated! Would the San Diego Zoo and/or the SSP ever consider that? They’ve lived their whole lives together and are best friends – it would break my heart to see one of them moved to another zoo!
Moderator’s note: Although it’s possible that in the future Tatqiq might be needed for breeding, right now she is not. The SSP looks at what is necessary to keep a population genetically healthy and what is best for each animal. We have learned that many bears that grow up together, especially siblings, often keep a very good relationship their entire lives. We hope to keep Kalluk and Tatqiq together for companionship as long as it’s good for them.
Well, it isn’t over until it is over. I am glad that we are learning more and more from Chinook. I will certainly wait until I hear the final words from JoAnne and the keepers.
I hope Chinook is pregnant. Looking foward to cubs!
Dagnabit, Chinook!! You are keeping all of us on pins and needles, sitting on the edge of our seats this time around! Plus, some nail biting for those people that do that kind of habit! Please let us know REAL SOON when you will have baby polar bears! We are all trying to wait very patiently all over the world! Would just love to see one or two little white bundles of furry cubs on the polar bear cam! Take care of yourself, Chinook!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Thank you Joanne. It can’t be easy to write this message without the good news that everyone is waiting for. Cubs or not, we dearly love these bears and are so grateful that you are there to look after them. After all, they are a national treasure of sorts! We’ll also keep watch… who knows what might happen in the future. Be of good cheer!
Sorry to hear there is no good news yet. There is so much in nature that we have yet to learn and you are all working so hard! We all love these bears so much. I will not give up, as I know you won’t either. Tears today.
So sad, JoAnne. And you must feel it most of all. I’m so sorry.
Is it not true that bears who have been on birth control later have trouble conceiving? Does that effect eventually disappear?
We do suspect that birth control may have an impact on conception with bears. With regard to Chinook, we are not sure about the level of that impact or that she is in a later, prime breeding age. But yes, we do look at all those things and take them into account. Bottom line: we’re still trying to learn exactly what happens with polar bear reproduction!
Thanks, JoAnne. You’re not alone. I’m struggling to learn as much as I can too!
Thank you for the update. I’ve been wondering about what was going on.
Tatqiq is having a lovely relaxing nap and Kalluk is rolling in the dirt and getting quite brown! When Chinook is on her own what does she do all day and where is she hanging out? Is she mostly in her various bedrooms or does she go into the other enclosure for a swim or walk?
Chinook typically spends her day between the polar bear yard, her den/bedroom, and often takes mid-day soaks in the inside pool. When we are in the kitchen she usually lounges in the training crate where she can watch us, and we often sit with her while we do our daily paperwork. We also give her access to the main exhibit when Kalluk and Tatqiq are inside. She has been spending more time out there recently, perhaps a sign that she is getting ready to join her buddies again.
Thank you, JoAnne! Sounds like she is living the good life and loves her people friends as much as her bear ones! Don’t you just wish we could be Dr. Doolittle and literally talk to the animals! Wouldn’t that make life easier!!
So sad that the situtation is not too promising. Do you know of any polar bear of the world’s zoos who had been on birth control and later gave birth to cub(s)? Is Kalluk fertile for sure? Sorry, Kalluk.
There is no evidence as to whether the birth control we used with Chinook has a permanent impact. It is only to last for six months, but we suspect it had a longer affect. We have no reason to believe that Kalluk isn’t fertile, as his testosterone levels are quite substantial! We would only be able to check him under anesthesia, and at this point to check for only that would not be worthwhile. We have seen evidence of fluids during their breeding, so we’re just hoping for success naturally!
Thank you Joanne for your response. I hope next year brings more luck in cubs. I waiting for their romance I haven’t seen yet however I would have willingly missed it if cub(s) had on the way.
When will we know the window is closed also would the babies be in her uterus now? I dont know any thing about polar bears reproduction. Barbara in Phoenix
I say we build a huggggge polar bear plung on the tundra up in Canada! I’ve been watching the PBI cam on camzone and my only wish in life would be that the mamma and her cubs I saw this morning were as unstressed and relaxed as the Kalluk I see rolling around with a rag on his head and lazily eating carrots! prolly cost more than a lottery win huh.
Thank you for the update Joanne and I still am hoping for those precious little white bundles as well.
I am wondering if the typically warm ambient temperature of San Diego somehow affects gestation? Has there been any studies done on that?
We don’t know if warm weather or our southerly position has an impact. No studies have yet to be done on those variables.
Do the gestation days take in account for delayed implantation? Can polar bears absorb fetus’s like Pandas?
Moderator’s note: Polar bear pregnancy can last 6.5 to 7.1 months; actual fetal gestation is about 60 days. And yes, the female’s body can reabsorb any embryos.
Are the polars always as quiet as these three seem?
what I mean is, do they ever cut loose with a lil roar?
Yes, for the most part they are quiet, to our ears anyway. But the most vocal is Miss Tatqiq, and it’s usually directed at Chinook when breeding season approaches and Tatqiq gets a bit unsure of Chinook’s mood. Kalluk will also get vocal at breeding time, and it’s always directed at Chinook!
Thanks JoAnne for your response. I too have wondered about vocal communications between bears. It is interesting for me to read that Miss Tatqiq vocalizes most among the trio. I would have thought Princess Tatqiq vocalizes more of these roars directed at Kalluk, given that they play or fight together most frequently. (Not to mention some of the “frustrations” she exhibited during their sibling fights.
However, like many posters here, I am merely an observer of the Polar Cam, and I do not interact with the bears regularly.)
I had a feeling something had been happening or not happening as it were perhaps. Long time passed without any updates. Keep up the watch!
It took me almost 4 yrs to get my first baby!
I know you’re all talking to JoAnne, but I think I know the answers so will tell you what I know. Cubs have been born all over the world although something about the zoo environment does seem to affect fertility. It could be that the female only has one mate available. In the wild, she would mate repeatedly over a short period in the spring, then resume celibacy. Still there are females in zoos that produce cubs quite reliably every couple of years or so. Or maybe Kalluk is responsible. In one European zoo recently, they finally discovered why the two mates had never conceived after a number of years. The male had suffered from phimosis. They had to anesthetize him to find that out.
Gestation with polar bears remains quite variable, and in the wild, of course, no one is there for the whole thing, so they have only general ideas. If she is unable to sustain cubs, for whatever reason, her body reabsorbs the blastocysts, and the mother bear resumes her normal life.
Well, we’ll just have to keep all our fingers and toes crossed for now. She’ll have cubs when she’s good and ready!
To Liz P – when I was in Churchill, we really didn’t hear them ‘roar’ The bears did a lot of what they called ‘chuffing’.
Nancy, I am so jealous, I was watching the migration this year following the tundra buggies on camzone and a mom and her two cubs went right up to the tundra lodge I guess it’s called. My biggest problem would have been wanting to feed them all!! (I know you can’t). You’re one lucky woman Nancy.
I’m disappointed, like everyone else — but we love our Chinook regardless — pregnant, not pregnant — cubbies or not. She’s still our girl!! Hope to see her out playing with her friends soon!
The last time I wrote I think someone thought I ment to split up Kulluk and Tatqiq I did not mean that. They have been with each other from day one every one would be heart broken to split up the Fab three Barbara from Phoenix!!!
Thanks for the information, I had to chuckle though, chuffing sounds like what I do when i don’t want to do the dishes. hehe. I’m trying to hard not to think about Chinook’s possilbe lil ones, but when I saw a couple of mom’s with their cubs on the cams in Canada I just can’t help but hope that your beautiful Chinook will have her turn at being a mom. Good luck Chinook and Thanks for all your hard work San Diego Zoo!!
We are all hanging in there with you JoAnne!! Fingers still crossed for a very late in the year cubbie. And If not, we will all enjoy seeing the 3 bears together again. They have so much fun when they are reunited.
I think it is so sweet that Chinook likes to watch her keepers in the kitchen from her training crate. I would definitely sit and do my paperwork and talk to her every day I could! Besides ultrasound training with Chinook, what training do you do with the 3 bears? Do you do target training with them to present specific body parts for examinations, injections, blood draws, etc.? Do the bears receive/like scent enrichment such as extracts or hay or bedding from other animals at the zoo? Thanks!
I have just been on explore.org and we have been informed that the web cam is no longer up as the polar bears are on the ice. The ice was three weeks late this year. Hope the hunting is great and that the polar bears can fatten up and be happy bears again. I guess I will have to wait until next fall to look at the bears in the wild in Churchill, Manitoba.
We love looking at the polar bears between patients! Those guys give us some laugh for sure!We sure hope to see little babies running around.
Happy Thanksgiving my 3 little bears! Have a good week (end)!!! xo.
And to all the bear keepers too!
Happy Turkey Day, Polar Bears!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
It is 3:50 eastern time and before me on the Web Cam there is one dirty bear – Happy Thanksgiving to you Kalluk. You really got down and dirty. I guess that he is disappointed that Chinook did not make him a father – do not cry Kalluk maybe it is not too late and we will all get a Thanksgiving surprise.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Happy Thanksgiving! I know everyone is mostly likely having a feast with their families, but I am sneaking a peak on Polar Cam. Kalluk is enjoying his carrot snack, and I can clearly see Chinook, looking directly at Kalluk from the off-exhibit area on the other side of the fence. Tatqiq walked into view briefly for a moment to join Kalluk, so I had all three bears on camera for one happy moment! It appears that we may soon see the trio playing happily together again!
I’m thanking God for the creation of the ever most beautiful Polar Bear, those in San Diego that brought my attention to them and those in the wild that struggle every day just to survive, and last but not least the San Diego Zoo for taking such a large part in the study, care and “keep” of Kalluk, Taqiq and our Lovely Chinook! Happiest of Thanksgivings
I wish Happy Thanksgiving for keepers, moderator and last but not least for the precious three bears and I hope roasted turkey will be given to the latter.
It is so nice to see Chinook enjoying her time out on exhibit with a morning dirt nap instead of pacing from door to door waiting to go in!!
Hi JoAnne.. Wanted to know if there were any more updates with Chinook. Are her keepers still conducting ultrasounds on her ? Is our window closed ? Is she showing signs that she would like to join the siblings for some sun and fun ? How do her keepers reintroduce her to Kalluk & Taqiq ?
Thanks =)
One of my friends is going to SDZ today and promised to take lots of pictures of the bears! I am so jealous! lol I told her to be sure to give them a kiss for me! Hehehe! Well, maybe blow them a kiss! Do you sell postcards of the trio? She was going to try and pick some up for me to keep by my computer!
Moderator’s note: Our gift shops have lots of fun polar bear items!
On the web cam at the moment, I perceive three bears – is Chinook being reintegrated with her two partners in crime.
Moderator’s note: Look for a new post shortly