This is not a test!
Each day, the first thing I do when I sit down at my computer is to check with the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) for the latest information on sea ice conditions and sea ice extent in the Arctic. At the beginning of August, it looked like the changes in sea ice extent over the summer were on pace to approach, or maybe even equal, the historic 2007 low. However, over the last couple of weeks, it has become clear that we were on a pace to overtake the 2007 record low and set a new minimum record for sea ice extent.
Several days ago, I checked the latest data; not only had we surpassed the 2007 low, we did it several weeks ahead of when the sea ice is typically at its lowest. This means we still have a few more weeks of sea ice melt to go, and the ultimate sea ice nadir for 2012 has not yet been reached. It is not hard to connect the dots and see that this is bad news for polar bears. However, what may not be obvious to most people is that this is bad news for wildlife all over the world and bad news for us.
Polar bears and the Arctic sea ice have long been noted as a “canary in a coal mine”; the changes in the Arctic environment provide a warning—a clear, loud, and un-ignorable warning—of how dramatically climate warming is changing our planet. We have to reduce our carbon footprint, and we have to do it NOW!
Even in light of this grim news, there are still signs that we are beginning to turn things around. Recent surveys have shown that an increasing majority of Americans understand that climate change is real and that the warming trends that have been documented over the past several decades are the result of human greenhouse gas emissions. The results of these surveys also suggest that most people understand that climate change will have catastrophic impacts on polar bears and other Arctic wildlife. For many of us, making the connection between our own everyday actions and the persistence of polar bears in the wild is enough to get us to make energy efficient choices.
However, we must also understand that, while the impacts of climate change are most vividly obvious in the remote Arctic, they are also impacting other habitats all over the world, including our own backyards, and that the resulting changes to our Earth will have far-reaching consequences for people everywhere. We have to do more. We have to move from “understanding” the impacts of climate change to “taking action” to reduce our carbon footprint.
Each and every one of us has the power to change our habitats in order to reduce our own personal greenhouse gas emissions. Future generations, and future generations of polar bears, are counting on you to reduce your carbon footprint.
Megan Owen is a conservation program manager for the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Read her previous post, Panda Cub: 704 Grams.
Calculate your own carbon footprint and get suggestions and easy household tips that help you reduce your carbon footprint (and energy bill), or visit Polar Bears International.
Is there any news on Chinook being pregnant? I would love to hear a positive answer, I was lucky enough to be there back in May on the day they were mating and i’m anxiously awaiting to hear it took. Fingers crossed!
Moderator’s note: No news on that front yet.
Not what I wanted to hear I was so wanting to hear better news then I thought we did not get here in one day its going to take many days to undo the damage done I have changed many old bad habits and I will continue I’m not giving up. I know things can get better because just this year in the south west the first lepord sighting in many years I was thrilled I hope every body stands up and do the right thing. We all must remember we are on wild life land they we here first we can get along together just think no more fur coats or stuffed polar bears killed just for the pleasure ask yourself one question for real or books Barbara from Phoenix
I don’t understand why people just don’t get the the program! This is real… you can’t fake the graphs.. I’ve had people tell me the warming is cyclical and it may be, however, that doesn’t make it something to ignore.. This makes me very sad…
I’ve come to think this is the ultimate human flaw and failure. So many of us just will not deal with anything unless it’s about them or unless it’s in front of their face. Compared to a new car, it’s hard to sell a vision they cannot see up close.
Sad news again. Shame on us that it happened.
Dreana,
Its Barbara again I agree again after my experience with Tatqiq its making me work all the harder to get the message out we all need to change things we do in are every day life that does not even cost money I was so blessed to be so close with are dear Tatqiq I will never forget that like I said I will work harder ever day of my life to spread the word we canno’t lose our white bears Thank SDZ for every thing you have done!!! See you soon Barbara from Phoenix
Ive said it before the only solution to the worlds problems is a drastic reduction in human beings….and yet no one has the nerve or guts to say that population needs to be controlled….
people pollution is the worst kind to hit this planet.
I agree. There are too many of us.
Agreed Jogger. I have a dear friend who likes to refer to to the human race as a virus to the planet.
3:44PM, PST–Thank you to the camera person! I see an extreme close-up of Kalluk’s head in the pool. It looks like he is enjoying a soak in the water, with his eyes closed, and a branch of plants he placed underneath his chin!
why does the cam turn black n white and off the bears at 7pm, when your open until 9pm
Moderator’s note: The Panda Cam should be on 24 hours a day.
yes, the panda cam i watch as long as my eyes can stay open, but the polar bear cams go off 2hrs before closing….why is that?
Moderator’s note: The Polar Cam is on all the time as well, but there is no light in the exhibit at night, and our volunteer Cam operators do not man the cam at night, so you probably won’t see much after dark.
Thank you for the explanation..I understand. I’m so used to watching bai yun, that I forget they are keeping a light on her as well as maning the cameras. My apologies.
Ooh! Green bear! Is this algae or did we do more paintings like a few years ago?? I am curious!!
Moderator’s note: The post Polar Bears: Keeping Cool explains what you’re seeing.
here we go, its only 7pm and the camera is off the polar bears and on the sand…why, why, why? there is still 2 hrs before close
Moderator’s note: Please remember the Zoo now closes at 6 p.m. Our summer-hours schedule is over.
I believe that unfortunately a lot of people are too busy (commuting, paying bills, taking care of families) to feel concerned with the increasing numbers of animals that are either endangered or approaching that status. we so rarely come into contact with polar bears, elephants, pandas, etc. (as endearing as they are). but today (or recently) there was an npr story about how climate changes are affecting food prices. this will hopefully hit home and impact how we think about our interactions with the environment.
Love watching Tatqiq munching on her carrot treats as she lounges in the plunge. Ahhhhh the life!!
I was watching Chinook wolfing down carrots this morning. Gosh, does she have a cute round bum!
Hello to all,
I’m home now back in Phoenix I did not want to leave thank you Deborah, Joanne,and Lindsey and Tatqiq for my special day with my bears I’ll never forget big bad Kulluk running away from what ever sared him I did not see or hear anything see how much better there hearing is! I must tell all Tatqiq is so sweet Joanne called Tatqiq just 2 times and she responded so fast came right to the wall Joanne fed ger her special treats frozen crickets and lettuce andoher good things she was so sweet eating from her spoon never in my dreams did I think I could ever get that close to my beloved bears. If you get a chance please go to the zoo I promise you will not regret it , Joanne thanks again I’m going to try and come back in November Barbara from Phoenix
I’ve been that close, not in San Diego but in other places. It’s a breath-taking experience, isn’t it? It inspired me to think about how the politics of size come into the matter. They’re bigger than we are and powerful animals. We’re not used to being around creatures larger than us without immediately feeling unease or threat. But what if they’re simply bigger than we are and otherwise friendly? It’s hard for us to take that in although I try.
There is more urgent, dire news about the melting Arctic ice. Be sure to read some of readers’ comments in this article. We really need to be much more aware of what is happening to the climate and planet Earth!!!
http: // www (dot) bbc (dot) co (dot) uk /news/world-europe-19508906
Very “Thank full” for all these web cams! Watching them all sure makes my day,every day!
Grateful for all the updates as well!
Helene
San Diego
Disappointed in the camera person, won’t even show the bears going in for lunch, as soon as the door opens for them, hes off of them and then stays focused on the sand for way to long 1/2 hr. at least after the bears come back out. The reason I know their back is the people at the glass are taking photos and all we see is sand. I love watching the 3 of them, they are phenomenal animals, please be more generous with your cam.
Moderator’s note: Please know that all of our cams are manned by wonderful volunteers who sign up to work in shifts. They are responsible for five cams at once, so can not always follow all the action. We are grateful for the service they provide for our viewers.
Please don’t think I am ungrateful, I am not. I appreciate all the hard work everyone does there to give us this wonderful opportunity of watching the polar bears. I admit I am just greedy, and I want to see more, more, more.
Moderator’s note: Understood.
I’m appalled that you feed these bears veggies and not their normal diet, they are mostly carnivores-why are they not provided with normal diet? And if they can’t eat what they would in the wild, (people can’t see them killing anything, as they would in their normal habitat) they shouldn’t b in a zoo!!!
Moderator’s note: Polar bears at the San Diego Zoo get a special ground-meat diet made for zoo carnivores, dog kibble, trout and other fish, as well as root vegetables and lettuce as treats. Cow femur bones and thawed rabbits are added once or twice per week. Polar bears get very little nutrition or calories from vegetables, so these items are offered as treats, and the whole carrots keep their teeth clean. They love them and can fill up and not put on added fat layers that would have them too warm in San Diego.
I’m sorry I do not agree with you! I just got back from the zoo two weeks ago I got a special meeting with there head keeper Joanne these wonderful people who care for these bears are the most giving careing people ever our bears needs are always put first. There foods has to be different because they are not in the wild having to put on weight they have to eat more fatty foods for ther long hibernation long cold winters also When I was a little girl my parents brought me to the SDZ Times have changed they used to through bread to get the bears to stand up to make us all happy thats not very good all that starch, They get the best diet for captive bears
as far as watching them eat there natural foods I would not want my kids to watch the bears eating there natural foods them being carnivores in the wild its seals not very preaty sight to watch thats my right!! I spent alot of time with there trainers thet are totally devoted to our three bears nothing but the best for our three bears Oh yes one last thing for you to think about I’m not trying to be mean but the way things look now with globle warming zoos are the only place we will ever be able to see them I,m so very thankful for Joanne Lindsy and Debbie if not for them i would not had my lifes wish I was less than a foot away from Tatqiq i got to hear her breath and smell her she listened to me watched me it ws the thrill of my life Barbara from Phoenix Hello to all see you real soon!!!!
I’m sorry for previous comment, I know u are doing best as u can, but I just don’t believe that if an animal cannot be “themselves”-act like the animal they are, that they shouldn’t b confined to a zoo.
Thank you for that information-I feel a little better now, and again I apologize.
Karen, if these bears were not at the San Diego Zoo they probably would not be alive today, its a good thing
I do understand how you feel the zoo didnt go out and catch these bers they were foung in Alaska orphaned because there moms were killed they have been at the SDZ from little cubies they had no mother to teach them. I know that we would love to see them in their natural but with these guys we needed to step in and save them. I do feel sad for them at times, My mom said she looked into Tatqiq eyes that made her sad it is unfortunate but if not for SDZ they would of not made it! Maby some day we will all understand how important it is to clean up are act so they can stay in the wild untill then I’m glad to see the Fab three. Love, Hugs, and many kisses to all mostly love my bears. See you November Barbara from Phoenix.
Karen,
I hope we did not hurt your feelings! Everybody on the blog has so much passion for the three bears. I got mine a couple of years ago when I saw them in person for the first time, It was my mother who took me to see these wonderful aminals from that moment i have spend every day trying to get the word out to help save are artic home for all polar bears I too would love all aminals to be in their natural home but thats just not possible I pray for the day big companys open there eyes and see the beauty not just $$$$ if we all do not do something
we wont have them. Many thanks for having the courage to say what you feel lets hope we have them to look at in the future Barbar from Phoenix.
Poor Tatqik looks so miserably hot right now. I wish she’d go in the water to cool off. I know it’s been extremely hot there lately. Bai Yun, the giant panda mom, has been panting a lot but we’ve been assured that she’s okay and panting helps her cool down. Maybe it’s the same for the polar bears. At least they have the pool when they need it.
Thank you for all you do for these 3 wonderful bears. After reading some of the comments above, it’s a good reminder that none of them would have survived without their mothers in the wild and so the wonderful life they have at SDZ is well worth all your great efforts. They seem happy and well-adjusted. They do love munching on those carrots which is so cute.
It’s also a great reminder that we all need to do our parts to prevent more global warming. Thanks!
Any news re possible pregnancy for Chinook. Would you expect that we can visit your wonderful Polar Bear exhibit when we visit in early Octoer?
Moderator’s note: We don’t have any pregnancy news yet, but you are always welcome to see a polar bear or two when you visit.
I’ve noticed that tatqiq has a lot of hair covering her pads of her feet. Kalluk almost has none; you can see so much more of his pads. Is it just because tatqiq has not worn it off walking or does the female have more for some reason? Just curious.
Tatqiq is quite unusual with her furry feet. In fact, they are as furry if not more so than many polar bear feet I have seen in the wild! Ever since she was a cub, she has groomed her furry feet and seems to appreciate it more than either Kalluk or Chinook. If all you see are bottoms of feet whether diving in the pool or sleeping, Tatqiq has lots of furry fuzz!
The pressure is on…a new panda cub, a new elephant calf and now a new cub at the National Zoo. We most certainly need one or two polar bear cubs to round out our cam viewing.
Where else can you watch a green polar bear snoozing in the sun! YAY SDZ polar cam!
When kalluk, chinook, or tatqiq roll in the dirt, how do they clean that all off of themselves, or do you the keepers have to do it. (a hose down). I couldn’t imagine them going into the water with all that dirt on them.
Moderator’s note: The bears are responsible for keeping themselves clean.
When I see the big guy recently, he seems to be moving in on Tatqiq’s favorite spot: under and on top of the rocky promontory. Do you have any idea what’s going on there?
1 1/2 hrs. camera hasn’t moved.
showing nothing!
is the polar exhibit closed today?
apologies, apologies, apologies, did not read the caption! Silly me!
So during the annual pool cleaning yesterday, how many missing toys did you find stuffed in different pipes and other miscellaneous places??
We lost count, but it was a lot!
Interesting bit about algae on the bears …in search of pics I found a zoo in Japan has had the same problem.
Off topic question for your experts if I may mod.. Inspired by the reptile mania video and my ongoing attempts to over come my fear of snakes…
Why ( aside from the duckbilled platypus) have no mammals developed venom as a defence or form of attack like many insects, reptiles, fish and amphibians ??
Moderator’s note: Good question! I’ve forwarded it to our Customer Service folks.
Someone napping sweetly with their bag of yummies! Does anyone know if Churchill will have a live cam on the polar bears migrating out to the ice like last year? The Tundra Cam or something like that? I found that fascinating and hope to catch it again….so if anyone knows or has a link, I would be very grateful. Can’t wait to see the plunge all clean…they are so lovely to watch swimming under the water!
Hello San Diego!
I miss not being able to come see the wonderful furry friends, so I keep up on line, thank you for taking care of our furry friends! Any news on the possible future polar cub? I’m sure you get asked a lot during the day. Here’s hoping! Take care.
Moderator’s note: No news yet. Keep the faith!
Absolutely! Saying a Prayer!
I know you (moderator) has posted many times that there is no news about a cub but i was wondering, is there still a chance by now? I don’t know how Polar bears work, but I believe i heard somewhere that they can hold of being pregnant until the conditions are right, like storing the fertile egg until the right time. Is that correct? Thanks!
Moderator’s note: We aren’t even expecting to know one way or the other until next month anyway, so be sure to keep your paws crossed!
Oh awesome! all four of my paws are cross!
Paws crossed here too. (As someone who had fertility problems they are crossed tight) It would be interesting to compare it to the panda timing.
If the zoo closes at 6pm and the cam is off, why are there still people there at 8:30pm? Are you staying open longer now?
Moderator’s note: We stay open until 6 p.m. these days. Perhaps you saw participants of our Spooky Sleepover? They get to explore the Zoo after dark.
awe, that’s an awesome idea..sounds like fun!
What happened to the mineral salt water soaks, (spa days). The bears really need it bad.
Moderator’s note: They still receive them, or the bears would look even greener.
Kalluk enjoying a bone in the water, lol…..I love how the 3 of them close their eyes while they chew..like ummm this is sooo good.
Tatqiq is presently in the weirdest position I’ve ever seen for a polar bear. She’s on her back with her feet spread wide and cocked up on the next layer of rock. Then she’s got her head dangling over the side of the outcropping. She looks like she could fall on her head at any moment. What a babe!
2 in 1, polar bear and spider webcam.
LOL Just what I was going to write but you said it better!!!
Someone please go up to the cam and knock down that ugly looking spider….ewww….lol
Got a nice long look at Chinook just now, has she always had that much neck hair hanging down? Looks like an old man’s beard
chinook does not look happy to be out on exhibit. She keeps pacing back and forth between the doors, poor thing. Why is she by herself this morning. I don’t see tatqiq or kalluk.
Moderator’s note: Keepers say Chinook indicated to them this morning that she wanted to have the exhibit to herself. Once out there, though, she soon decided she’d rather be back inside, so her wish was granted! Chinook has her keepers well trained.
: ) Gotta love her! LOL
Moderator’s note: Oh, we do!
…a girl can change her mind!
lol About Chinook. Perhaps the first signs of a pregnancy, real or false? I would love to see a baby polar bear cubby! Hoping, hoping, hoping!!! ♥
BTW, will the bears ever be doing any more beautiful pawprint art? Those were just amazing! Have you asked them if they would do any on commission? I would love a Tatqiq work of art hanging on my wall!
Moderator’s note: I’ll find out.
We wish we could…they are spectacular! However, they are extremely labor intensive, so it’s been tough for the keepers to schedule the time for this. We hope to offer them again in the future.
just watched Kalluk make his bed for my first time. he appeared picky about how the order of palm fronts on the blue plastic pool went. then he was pretty particular about having the burlap sack as his pillow. it was super cute how he tried to somehow squeeze his entire body into the pool even tho his paws ended up having to stick out. it’s very funny how the bears get attached to their toys. he is a big sweetheart.
LOL…tatqiq…what a dirty, dirty girl. I just love these bears. Any news on Chinook? Her belly looks like shes carrying, unless its alot of fur.
The belly and chin fur are part of the bears’ natural rhythm. They go through this at this time every year, but since San Diego is so temperate, they never actually grow the full winter coat.
And Chinook naturally has a generous backside and full belly. I don’t think it indicates pregnancy, just her beautiful natural shape. At this time of year a breeding female would be eating lots to gain some weight to support future cubs. And she’ll start to isolate herself and maybe make some den-building maneuvers. Chinook goes through a lot of this behavior when there won’t be cubs later on. It’s hormonally driven.
Hi In my youth I did a Study on the Dietary requirements of the Larger bear Specie
This was at the Time of the Then Ozone Hole that now lives only in memory ..
Thing is that I have up till now never seen a polar bear eat a Carrot ???
Can you give me some idea .. thanks in Advance …
Moderator’s note: We give the polar bears carrots as a form of enrichment; the bears like biting and crunching them. Their main diet is made up of meat.
Hello,
Just wanted to say hello to all most of all the three bears miss you all so much hope to see you soon Barbara from Phoenix. Really cute stuff at the plunge!!
I’m watching Kalluk and Tatqiq slumbering away in the Plunge, and I can’t help noticing how green Kalluk is! The temperatures must have been warm enough that even Tatqiq is sporting a light green coat of fur. Kalluk needs to take more of those mineral salt water soak for sure. (I know, easier said than done.) If only we could convince him to go into the pool to kill off the algae…
Will there ever be a “camera snapshot” like in the pandacam so we can send pictures of the polar bears to others?
Moderator’s note: We’re working on it, stay tuned!
What’s the latest with our 3 bears ? Any indication Chinook is hiding something
( cub(s) ) from her keepers, yet ?
Any chance we can get a new report, or a blog on what’s going on there in Polar Bear land ? Been a while since the last one.
I might have asked this long ago and forgotten to check the answer. does Chinook usually stay indoors? I think I recognize Tatqiq and Kalluk, especially when they play. but am never too sure of Chinook. Tatqiq seems to take the rocky area close to the sand and grid fence where a keeper gives a talk to visitors (and sleeps on the pink pool). Kalluk seems to sleep high up near the door (on the blue pool, although he moves it around too). where does Chinook usually hang out when she’s outside? does she swim very much? I don’t think I’ve seen her play with Tatqiq or Kalluk in the big pool.
I don’t think Chinook is spending much time outdoors, and I think she mostly stays at the back, near “her door”. She’s been busy building little nests back there. That’s normal for a female at this time of year. It does not guarantee that she will have cubs, but it suggests that she’s getting ready for winter in some way.
interesting. thanks for the info.
The lower right side of rock (the gray stone), by the visitors glass, from inside the plunge, has an indentation in it resembling a polar bear standing with his head facing forward and held high. Is this a coincidence, or was it done purposely. This is the first time I noticed it after watching for so long. Am I nuts, or does anyone else see it?
Does the zoo breed the polar bears like they do the panda’s? Do you ever have cubs? Thank you.
Moderator’s note: While we observed breeding behavior between our male Kalluk and Chinook (one of our two females-the other one is Kalluk’s sister, Tatiq), we do not know at this point if a cub was conceived. To read more about this, check out Polar Bears: Breeding Season! (Read alllll the way to the end for the “Update” on when we might have cub news)
The “Update” said “possibly Nov.2. Are the polar bears like the pandas where one will not know if the female will have a cub at the almost closest to the “birth day”? Does the zoo do something like “ultrasounds” like how they did with Bai-yun?
Moderator’s note: Yes, polar bears (like all bears) have a delay in fetal development, so we won’t know until close to the birth. Chinook cooperates with ultrasounds, so we will likely use one tool to monitor her condition, as we have in the past.
Thank you moderator. I did not know the bears had been breed. I will read the article.
I sure hope if the polar bear has a cub that you have camera’s for us like the panda cam. Do you think that would be the case? Again Thanks.
Question: I read “breeding season”, and there is a date for giving birth nov.2nd, first possible date. Wouldn’t you already know if chinook is with cub now, if birthing date is only a few weeks away? Especially if she lets you do an ultra sound.
And I agree with Lainie above, it has been to long since the last update on these beautiful bears.
Moderator’s note: I’ll ask the Polar Bear Team if they can give us a new blog with more info.
Much appreciated…thank you.
Thanks for the support Debbie !!
I just keep checking back daily, wondering, waiting for a new blog, telling us what the latest scoop is.
Love the trio, and have been waiting on pins and needles every day, hoping to find something new, with Chinook !
Lainie,
Your welcome, and I hope we hear something soon. Nov.2nd isn’t that far off. I love the 3 of them too. I am a newbie to the 3 of them, but once I started watching, I cannot stop. I have two tabs set on my comp, one for my 3 bears, and one for Bai and little cubbie. Watch all day when off of work.
I keep a San Diego Zoo tab that opens upon opening the computer, with my home page, and I go back ‘ forth between that and the Decorah Eagles cam. I hope we can get some news this week from the Polar Bear team.
3rd times the charm (fingers crossed). At least I think it’s the 3rd time, could be the 4th now.
Oh no there is a dirty polar bear…..they remind me of growing up and playing in the ditch then the dirt. Always dirty(Hehehe) how fun.
Maybe Bai Yun could give a little pep talk to Chinook….I know the world would love to see baby polar bears in San Diego. Maybe they could have a girls night out when Bai Yun’s cub is a little older and mobile. That way as Bai put it the Nannykeepers would have more time with the Chubbers.
It is 10:23am and the cam is on the log…I can see Tatqiq’s bum, but not all of her. It would be nice if the cam was on the bears, I don’t want to see the visitors. Thanks.
Debbie I understand how much we all love the bears but we have to understand somtimes there are problems with web cams also remember the people on the cam have lots of different cameras to watch they do this for free maybe we should be thankfull we have them to watch! They really do a great job. Not saying this to be mean! I feel real strongly about our keepers,
and camara people and every one who cares for the most loveable three bears in the world Barbara from Phoenix
Just a little hint just because of my crazy passion as my moms puts it I was
going to vist the zoo this Sepetember i got a invite to meet Ms Tatqiq up close and personal and meet with her vet and main trainer Ms Simerson
what a gift they did not have to do this why i do not know I’m, just so very happy to see them even if its not perfect day I knoe tomorrow will be better!
I am new to all of this cam stuff, and I’ve been watching since Bai Yun had her 6th little cubbie. I am so used to seeing her and her little one all the time, that I guess I expect this for the polar bears as well.
Debbie,
I know what you mean! But are we not blessed being invited to our polar bear wrold every day, when i get to see them i feel so very very lucky that Tatqiq, Kallulk, and dear Mrs. Chinook hope hope hope invite us in. Thank you polar bear team for the pleasure.
Hey, they just showed one of our SDZ, Polar Bear’s on TV at the beginning of Monday Night Football, on ESPN. Guess cause the Chargers are playing at home tonight.
What an awesome surprise !!
Go Chargers !!!
Did tatqiq have her mineral salt soak? She looks beautiful today.
if you don’t get a cub by Nov 2 what happens? Do you do another ultra sound to see if there is a cub? Do polar bears prepare a den like the panda does? Thanks
Nov. 2 is the first possible birth date, we have until Jan. 29 to wait for the last possible birth date! At this point, Nov. 2 looks unlikely but still possible. The only absolute definite is patient waiting ;>
Any chance of getting a full updated blog, on how things are going with Chinook ? Like is she interested in denning, is she showing any signs of being with cub(s) ? Is she keeping her distance from her plunge mates ?
Are her keepers still conducting ultrasounds ?
We’re all waiting (trying anyway) patiently
Thanks !
Moderator’s note: A blog will be posted soon.
Tatqiq looks absolutely beautiful…the whitest i’ve seen her in a long time.
Any videos of Ms. Chubby Chinook’s ultrasounds??? Haven’t seen one in like 2 yrs!…Love my 3 little bears!!! xo
Moderator’s note: We have not shot video of Chinook’s ultrasound procedures this year.
ok thks!
It amazes me that when either of the bears are in the sand by the glass, and see all the people, that they are so mellow, and don’t react to any of the visitors, by pawing at the glass, or standing up. They must feel so secure. Does the glass make it sound proof to them, so they don’t hear the noise the people make?
The glass isn’t intentionally sound proof, but it pretty much is. It is two 1-1/2-inch pieces of glass laminated together. You can not hear anything, including pounding on it, plus the waterfall adds some great white noise that also helps block out guests who insist on calling to the bears.
good question, often wondered that myself.
Tatqiq is very inactive, the last few days I saw her only lying. Isn’t she ill? Inside the building does she eat well?
At what intervals do the bears get medical check-ups, and do they let the vet get blood from them for blood count without anaesthesia?
Moderator’s note: Your question has been forwarded to the Polar Bear Team.
Tatqiq is doing just fine, normal appetite and behavior. Watching the Polar Cam gives everyone a good insight into our bears but it sometimes misses a good part of their day. Tatqiq gets an annual exam, usually every January, so her contraceptive implant is renewed before breeding season. This is usually done right in her bedroom so no transport is necessary.
Thank you for the answher. Since then I had seen her going through many baskets of carrots one after the other.
Everyone seems to be able to tell the difference between the bears. I only notice that the male is bigger than the others (and that’s only when hes near the others to tell hes bigger) but otherwise I couldn’t tell you who is who.
any tips on how to tell the bears apart?
Tatqiq lays on or under the rock formation by the sand and on her pink pool. Kalluk usually lays up by the door the keepers use and he usually has the blue pool. Miss. Chinook has a mole under her left eye, has a round furry belly, and lays over the water at the center of the plunge. When she eats, she continuously chews on her carrots without stopping, while the other 2 take bites…lol. If you see 2 bears having fun in the water, it’s brother(Kalluk) and sister(Tatqiq). Chinook is only out from 9am-1pm usually. I love my bears! If I got anything wrong, someone please correct me.
Just to say how much my husband & I enjoyed viewing your wonderful bears up close last week when we visited SDZ. The Polar bear Plunge is superb and I can now imagine it better having visited it live. Good luck with your breeding season and fingers crossed for a cub. All the best from Scotland.
When the bears use the dirt to lay in, is it to cool themselves?
It can be, but typically they are using it as a soft bed to sleep. They may also use it to dry off after a swim.
Thank you…interesting info.
Kalluk has nearly become a brown bear from lying on the dirt pile near the fence. He looks hilarious with half of his body in white and the other half in dark brown dirt. I almost could not tell if it weren’t for some white patches on his body. Perhaps he is trying to get some of the green algae off his fur?!
Meanwhile, Princess Tatqiq continues to lounge on her favorite rock platform, accompanied by her nap time toys. What a luxurious life these bears have!
Moderator is there any more news about the possibilty of a cub? Thanks. This site doesn’t have many updates, maybe there is nothing to update:) lol We are still praying for a cub.
Moderator’s note: No news to report yet, but we hope to have a new blog post soon.
1 weeks away from possible PBC birth ! Is there any news to share yet ? Is the SDZ Polar Bear team on cub watch ?
Sorry, no news yet. We are ready for cub watch, but Miss Chinook is keeping us guessing.
Thank you PBT ! Are we still gonna get an update blog soon, like about how Miss Chinook is acting, and such ?
Thanks in advance – Sorry to bug !
If there is a new cub for miss Chinook will there be a cam in the den like the panda’s have? I would love to be able to watch the baby grow every day!
Moderator’s note: Yes.
I very much enjoy watching the polar bears make their beds. it seems like they have specific preferences. it’s interesting to me how they’re able to manipulate the plastic pools. and then they really like to lay down on the palm fronds too. I never timed it but I would guesstimate that they can take between 5-10 min. to make their bed.
I find it very cute that Kalluk seems to want to squeeze his entire body into his blue pool. but then he will settle for sticking his head out.
6;35 pm Just watched Tatqiq go after a big bird,,,lol. She was trying to creep, but was on top of her rock formation and just scared it away…”priceless” I would have loved to watch her catch it, would have been some good eating for her. Do they ever catch any birds in the enclosure and eat them?