Tatqiq enjoys snow day earlier this month.
Once a year, our polar bear Tatqiq gets an exam. The main purpose is to implant her birth control but also to get a good look at her teeth, body condition, and any other routine items that are helpful in keeping her healthy. February 20 was her exam day.
If you have ever taken your pet to the veterinary office for a procedure that requires anesthesia, you know that fasting is required. In preparation for this, Tatqiq did not have any food overnight and instead was given all food during the day so by evening she had her full amount. First thing in the morning we remove water, so that in the event she feels nauseous, she won’t have anything that she might aspirate—all standard procedures. The hard part for keepers is getting her to be all right with no breakfast! Whether she knew it was for her own good or not, she was a complete angel while Kalluk and Chinook had breakfast, and we were able to go about the morning not feeling completely guilty.
Once the veterinary staff arrived, Tatqiq was sedated by a dart injection. We stay with her throughout, reassuring her (and maybe ourselves, too). Once the anesthetic begins to take effect, Tatqiq comes over to where we are and lays down. It is all very nice and peaceful and without any anxiety for her. The entire procedure lasted just over an hour and a half. During that time her teeth were found to be in great shape, radiographs also confirmed that, blood was taken for routine analysis, joints were moved, our nutritionists felt all over her body to be sure she was in top body condition—not too thin, not too fat, but just right! And, of course, the tiny birth control device was implanted under her skin just between the shoulders.
We are always asked if we touch the polar bears. While Tatqiq was sedated, we sat with her and talked with her and, yes, gently touched her to give any comfort she might feel while the exam went on. Because she is beginning her annual molt, we could feel some of the new growth of fur; it was so soft. But the most beautiful sight was of the new individual pieces of fur glistening like diamonds in between the fur that she will eventually shed. We were truly in awe of how gorgeous each individual hair was.
We stayed with Tatqiq until she was awake enough to have a nice full dinner and then cuddle up in the giant hay bed we had prepared for her. Then our day ended, and she spent the night sleeping. First thing Thursday morning our girl greeted us and patiently waited while her breakfast was prepared and, yes, served first! She joined her brother Kalluk on exhibit first with a very nice neck-biting greeting, and then Chinook came over for the same.
For those who question if Chinook likes Tatqiq, here’s something to ponder: Chinook prefers to sleep outside on the beach or in the mulch if the weather is dry and only comes inside if it is raining. Last night, Chinook chose to sleep inside in the room across the hall from where Tatqiq was and was the first to check on her when we turned the lights on this morning. We‘d like to think she was concerned about her friend. What do you think?
JoAnne Simerson is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Polar Bears: Chinook and Her Beauty Mark.
thanks for sharing. glad to hear Tatqiq is doing well and had a good exam.
I have not observed Chinook not getting along with Tatqiq. I actually have not seen them interact that much. in the polar bears description, Chinook was described as being the boss of the 3. but in play, Tatqiq likes to be the boss of Kalluk. so I just expected maybe there would be some politics between Chinook and Tatqiq as a result. but I don’t think I’ve ever seen them fighting over Kalluk either.
I think so too.!! Thanks for the informations.
Great news that the girl is so healthy. She sounds like she is a wonderful patient! One would agree that Chinook *was* concerned. Animals have rich relationships with their friends and families just as we do … imho. What a privilege to be able to work so closely with these magnificent beings! You all are very fortunate in your careers.
Is Tatqiq a candidate for a breeding loan?
JoAnne responds: Although it’s possible that in the future Tatqiq might be needed for breeding, right now she is not. The AZA’s Species Survival Plan for polar bears looks at what is necessary to keep a population genetically healthy and what is best for each animal.
Aww… Great to see that Tatqiq passed the annual medical exam with flying colors! I had no doubt that all three bears get along nicely, and the occasional sparring is simply normal in their social behaviors. Thanks for another update on our beloved bears!
Thank you for taking such good care of these precious animals. You all do such a wonderful job and I don’t think you can ever hear it too much. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can see how happy these bears are and that’s because of the care you provide. They know they’re loved <3
Love to read all your writings about the Polar Bears..Love to watch the webcam too. Thank you so much keeping us in formed.
I love the picture of Tatqiq…she is beautiful!
How wonderful! I am so glad she is doing well.What an interesting post! I am not surprised that Chinook checked up on her! She may still remember the loss of her sister and maybe felt a bit anxious over her adopted sister being out of the mix or sensed things were just not quite normal. They are such beautiful giants! I am sooo jealous though that you got to pet her! I do in my dreams!
Touching story. Tatqiq now probably knows that when she has no breakfast she will get dart injection instead. I think Chinook was concerned, despite of being the “boss” she still like Tatqiq and wanted to express empathy by sleeping next to her. Does the implanted contraceptive lose its effect gradually or remains the same and has to be replaced due to hygienic causes?
I wonder whether Tatqiq’s contraceptive doesn’t play a role in the hierarchy of the two females besides of their ages? I can imagine that Chinook recons Tatqiq as an adolescent girl and herself the mature woman.
The implant eventually dissolves and is meant to work only through the springtime when female polar bears would cycle.
I am happy to hear that Tatqiq is healthy. Glad to hear she was served breakfast first. She must have been hungry.
I think Chinook likes to be boss on exhibit, but take Tatqiq out of the picture and she begins to wonder where her friend is at. I love Tatqiq, she is my favorite. I was so happy for the blog, and to find out all is well with her. Is her contraceptive used just in case Kalluk forgets shes his sister.
And could you tell me if Kalluk is still breeding Chinook. Am hoping and praying for cubs this year.
Yes, Tatqiq’s contraceptive is used so that there is no chance that she and Kalluk would breed. Although there was a day when Kalluk and Chinook bred when they were first back together, they have not yet bred for this season. Every day we see signs that we are getting closer, but we have until June! Last year they bred the last week of April into May.
In the last blog a mod posted that chinook and kalluk had been breeding in Jan.. This was January 31, 2013 at 11:23 AM (post time) So they have not been breeding at all yet?
Well Chinook was concerned that her friend had been gone. And the two legged animals took her and then brought her back groggy. MMM…I would say concerned friend.
What a doll she is. I saw her sunning herself this afternoon and enjoying her carrots without a care in the world. She is in the best hands around!
Lovely piece! Thanks for keeping us updated. Especially loved your description of fer changing fur.
What a wonderful annual checkup for tatqiq. So thankful and grateful for all that the keepers do for our lovely trio, and the rest of the animals for that matter. Sdz is truly amazing at caring for the well being of its residents.
Just in case you wanted my opinion, I think she knew what was coming as soon as the water was removed, or maybe even earlier if she observed you making preparations. Would she be able to smell the contents of the dart? I think, too, that the others could read what was happening from the preparations and extra attention you were giving to Tatqiq.
I think she and Chinook have a friendly relationship although there’s some competition over getting Kalluk’s attention. There are times when they both want him to focus only on them. Again that’s all impacted by Chinook’s hormones, which mediate how interested she and Kalluk are in each other.
And I’m glad to hear about the touching. We all need that sometimes.
I’m glad you examined her. I’ve thought she looked a bit frail lately, but that may just be her body changing with age. I’ve observed those kinds of changes in my own body too!
I have observed a behavior by one of the bears that I don’t understand. It goes to the far end of the pool (away from camera). It seems to go underwater then come up sort of near the far edge. Then it bobs right and left for a bit. After 10-20 seconds of the bobbing, it goes backwards and under the water to repeat this routine. It reminds me of animals in bare cages that pace back and forth and so worries me. Can anyone explain this?
If you look on the last message, there’s lots of chat about it. It’s the season for polar bear love. That’s Kalluk working off his frustration. It’s similar to humans pacing. Chinook will only allow him close when she wants to, not when he wants to — which is most of the time.
I was actually at the zoo today while Kalluk was doing that. We were speaking to one of the zoo staff and he said he was working off some “extra energy.” It seems Kalluk may be ready to start breeding again, but Chinook was off resting and having some “me” time and wanted no part of it. So, poor guy was a little frustrated…
Well, it’s the only way for him. Poor fellow doesn’t have got an exercise bike.
Thanks.
yes but how long will he do that? Months? It’s been at least a month that I’ve seen him doing this already. Does he do it all day long? Does he eat? My questions were never answered on the other blog. I’m not familiar with male polar bear behavior when they’re in heat or whatever the term is for it.
And will he do this every mating season for the rest of his life? Sorry to be a pain, it’s just that it looks like the poor guy is terribly uncomfortable. Is he suffering?
I’ve been enjoying watching the bears eat their carrots this morning. Was just wondering, do they get any other vegetables to snack on, or just carrots?
Moderator’s note: They get other root vegetables and lettuce in addition to the carrots.
Just a question. As I try to watch the polar cam. Is it Tatqiq that has both of her forearms shaved off spots. I can never tell them apart… As I write this one is muchin on the carrots (appears to be brownish and both forearms have shaved spots)
Moderator’s note: Yes, Tatqiq has shaved spots from her annual physical.
I noticed that one of the bears has a couple of bare (no pun intended) spots on it’s leg. Is this a result of the exam recently done or some other issue? I’m sorry, but I can never tell the bears apart! They are such beautiful animals!!
Moderator’s note: Yes, that’s Tatqiq.
Thanks for the Tatqiq health update.
PS: Just discovered the SDZ Android app with polarcam. Yay!! Love to have the bears with me all day!!
Is there any surprises planned for tomorrow since it’s International Polar Bear Day? You can tell me, I promise I won’t tell
The bears got extra-fresh palm fronds to roll and play in!
She looks she having fun in the snow
Joanne, did you go to Hudson Bay this past winter? If so, what were the ice conditions and the condition of the bears. We were there two years ago on a tour. Those bears are beautiful creatures and am saddened by the loss of sea ice for them to hunt on.