Kalluk enjoyed snow day earlier this month.
The reason we suspect his focus is at the one end of the exhibit is due to the stimulation he may receive there. There is certainly more visual activity with buses and guests stopping to look at him, and the breeze comes right through there, carrying great scent stimuli. Research has shown that there are chemical similarities between many industrial aromas and reproductive hormones. It may well be that Kalluk is constantly testing the breeze in case there is a receptive female polar bear about to come join him. No one really knows how far a polar bear can smell, but no one doubts that their sense of smell is more than anything we could compare.
We know from past testing of his testosterone levels that Kalluk experiences exceptionally high levels for a male polar bear. A recent study indicates that male polar bears’ highest testosterone levels occur from the age of 12 to 18. Kalluk just turned 12, so we may have a tough time for the next few years. We did witness one day of breeding last month on the day after Chinook rejoined Kalluk and Tatqiq; she had been by herself on a pregnancy watch for a few weeks. Their reunion seemed to be more about the excitement of getting together again instead of actual estrus. We fully expect to see another breeding period that lasts anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Once Chinook’s hormones indicate that she is ready for breeding, and her behavior indicates she is ready, Kalluk’s attention will turn to only her. Then, as the breeding season wanes, we will get our fun-loving boy back. Polar bear breeding season can last from January to June! Until then, we have increased the amount of fat in his diet, increasing the calories he has to use. We strategically give him enrichment, especially scents, and strategically make beds for him that are in his interest zone.
Rest assured that we are monitoring him closely and responding to whatever he shows might alleviate some of his frustration. Keep watching Chinook as well; she also gives indicators, although much more subtle, of her breeding season!
JoAnne Simerson is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous post, Polar Bears: Exam for Tatqiq.
Let the fun begin! Good luck you two!
thank you. that is kind of funny how Kalluk’s hormones have a ripple effect of concern on the cam viewers (although it does not affect our testosterone levels).
so, Kalluk may hang around the tour bus hoping that a new girlfriend might come along? I hope Chinook doesn’t catch wind of that!
LOL! That’s such a funny thought! Watch out Chinook… Kalluk might get lucky at the bus stop.
Thank you JoAnne. I must admit, seeing him day in and day out in what appears to be distress had me worried. Thank you for answering our questions and for putting my mind at ease
One last question if I may. How many years will he do this during breeding season? Just until he’s around 18 when his hormones start dropping or for the rest of his life? Even if he’s not suffering, it still doesn’t seem like a fun way to spend 6 months out of every year
Thanks.
We don’t really know how long he will do this. We don’t really understand exactly why his drive looks like this and why he seems to get relief from it. We know other males have similar behaviors at this time.
Thanks for your response JoAnne
I’ve also noticed Kalluk bobbing his head from side to side as he descends into the pool. He does it so that it looks like the video is on a loop (but I know it isn’t). Is this also related to hormones? But all of them lately have been scenting the air more often. I would say in the last two weeks especially. Maybe something going on in the neighborhood? I watch the polar bears on aregular basis and now can tell them apart
thank you so much for setting up the cams. My nephew and niece love watching them too, and it’s a great way to educate people by letting them see firsthand how magnificent these animals are and how they are driven so hard in their natural environment.
Yes, you can see him stop and really take in scents, and yes, all three seem to be doing it, but usually it’s Kalluk who starts it. Perhaps the girls are wondering what he’s smelling?
Now thats a beautiful picture..Tatqiq laying with a fresh green palm frond over part of her clean white looking body. She is my babydoll! Why don’t we have the camera to snap a pic like the panda cam does?
Thank you from me too JoAnne..the first time I saw Kalluk do this, I thought maybe he was caught on something in the water.
Poor Kalluk! He is going to have the strongest neck muscles in the world with all that bobbing! But that is interesting about the wind and scents and where he locates himself. I always wondered why, since most of the time Chinook was on the other side of the plunge ignoring him and bathing happily in the sun! Maybe now I can call his Dance of Distress the Sway of Scents!
Thank you for the update!!
Happy International Polar Bear Day to everyone !!!
Please stop the camera spin. 10:37 a.m. No need to post this if you don’t want to.
Moderator’s note: Is it okay now?
I know the bears love carrots…do they like any other kind of fruit or veggies? I never see them with anything but carrots!
Moderator’s note: Yes, they get an assortment of root vegetables and lettuce, but they really like those carrots.
I had mentioned this a long time ago with no response. The wall against the sand where Chinook lays, has an indentation in the concrete that resembles a polar bear. Was this done purposely or is it a fluke? It even has a small tail, and a curve for where the belly is. It is 8:19 pm eastern, and Chinook is laying right against it now.
We have seen this, too, and it’s completely unintentional!
Perhaps this is not the right place to ask this question but I have been wondering about Chinook getting pregnant lately, since we have all been waiting so long for the day a baby polar bear is born.
I understand the concept of a false pregnancy, but, over the past few years (3, I would guess) anytime there is a sense in the air that this might be the time, it’s not. I assume Chinook is getting lots of extra attention when it is assumed she is pregnant…what girl doesn’t love a little extra pampering now and then?
Could she be at a point where she is giving off signals that she is pregnant but doing it on purpose? Animal husbandry teaches how to train behaviors with positive reinforcement. Can something like that happen here? She knows the attention she is going to get by behaving a certain way so she takes advantage of the situation. Where each time after breeding season, as the zoo begins to kind of prepare of the potential birth of a cub, Chinook gets extra attention and at this point, that has trained her behavior.
Anyone who gives you an answer about any animal with 100% certainty is probably wrong. So knowing how smart polar bears are, and Chinook is no exception, is it possible she knows how to behave to get her “pregnancy” treatment? Sure! That being said, her hormones and ultrasound exams indicate that something else besides positive reinforcement was going on. But believe me, we’ve wondered, too!
Thanks, JoAnne, for your insightful response. I suppose with the advancement of bio science, there will be more use of laboratory testing (fecal & urine samples, blood, etc.) to evaluate the physiological conditions of these polar bears. Of course, we would rather study these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat, but I have come to love the trio here at SDZ. I just hope that Chinook will not keep us on pins and needles long this year.
Here is to a successful polar bear breeding year at SDZ!
Hello! I was just wondering if Kalluk, Tatqiq, and Chinook, since they were born in the wild, have a made-up birth date? Or if you guys know which day they were born? Thanks.
Moderator’s note: No, we don’t have exact birth dates for them.
Hello, would like to know how do we tell them apart as we are watching the cam…havent a clue which one we are looking at.
I believe this is Chinook…easier to ID with healing scar under left eye.
There are previous descriptions of this. It’s easy to ID Kalluk. He’s a lot bigger, and his body is lankier. When he and Tatqiq play, often he sits on his bottom, while she’s on her rear feet. That makes up for the disparity in their sizes.
The two females have smaller bodies. Tatqiq has a slender body, with a bump on top of her head and a hump on her back. She has fur on the soles of her feet. Chinook has a larger belly and a round backside. Her ears higher on her head, more like a teddy bear. And she can have more lavish fur than the others, but that varies.
Finally if the bear eats the carrot from the pointy end, it’s Tatqiq. If she eats from the thick end, it’s Chinook. And if he stuffs a whole bunch of carrots in his mouth at once, that’s our boy Kalluk. He’s not big on dainty table manners.
Are the polar not out today? Almost 1PM mst and camera still focused on log
I don’t think that the webcam operators like the polar bears as much… same shot of nothing for hours!
Moderator’s note: The cams are not operated 24 hours per day, and if the polar bear exhibit is being cleaned, the cam is moved to a neutral spot.
Thank you cam operators for following Tatqiq this morning
}
We’ll be watching and hoping for an exciting breeding season.
has Chinook been gaining weight recently? I feel like her belly looks rounder. the other day I mistook her for Kalluk. I know that sounds like a stretch but she was on the blue plastic pool and playing with the burlap bag. later, I saw Chinook’s beard and left eye scar.
Polar Bear Team responds: Chinook has actually been losing weight gradually since coming out of denning, but all of the bears have shed out their winter coats, so that may be the reason her belly looks a bit more round.
thanks. that really would make more sense for Chinook to be losing weight now. well, fingers crossed for the next breeding periods.
One of the bears- I believe it’s Tatqiq is laying on the rocks eating something out of her blue bucket. She keeps putting her head back and moving her neck around almost like she’s having trouble chewing or swallowing. I’ve noticed her do this before. Is this normal for her? Just wondering.
The moderator may correct me, but I think that may relate to the VMO, vomeronasal organ. It’s a bear’s sixth sense, a scenting organ, deep up in the nose. Humans have them, in somewhat atrophied state, but their function is mysterious.
Thanks for your response Diane. I read a blog post about panda bears and their sense of smell so I believe that is what I was seeing.
I just saw Kalluk behaving in a the way you might have been describing. I can see your interpretation, but it’s a normal eating behavior. When a bear is using the VMO, he does put his nose in the air and open his mouth, in a sort of huffing behavior.
Thanks alot Diane. That makes sense and now that I’ve read more about it I understand that’s what I was seeing. Just wanted to be sure.
Poor Kalluck’s bobbing away…..any change in Chinook’s hormones yet?
I was watching our beautiful boy Kalluk and the poor guy has his head in the corner, such patience! He sure is a peaceful sort! I really feel for him.
In truth, I think he’s a bit hen-pecked.
Why Tatqiq spends less time outside recently?
Do the bears ever play together anymore? Every time I see them they’re seperate.
Moderator’s note: They sure do!
Love love love our polar bears… without exception… but do take a look at the videos of Pandas on snow day. FUN!
Why has the web cam been showing that tree stump on the “beach” for a large portion of the day? I miss seeing the bears more frequently. Thanks and have a great day:)
Awww, who has the blue bucket of carrots? I can’t figure out which bear it is.They look so sweet! They seem to have some fur shaved off their front paw, possibly for blood samples or something?
I think it was probably Tatqiq. She’s just had a full exam. You can read about it in the previous post:
http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/2013/02/22/polar-bears-exam-for-tatqiq/
Also, she likes her carrots.
We are new to the cams. Been viewing for a cpl months now. I read some other comments an they say they see more of the polar bears. We only see one all the time and he looks lonely. We live in WV so we cant make it there to actually see them. We would like to see action with all the bears. Is the webcams only limited to members?
No, they are not, but you’ll find that the cam operators do not keep up on a regular basis. I used to come here many times through the day and see extraordinary play sessions between the bears in and out of the water. Now the cam barely follows them, and is always on something other than the bears. It’s a shame really, because they are beautiful bears, and I love them all. I still come once in a while, but not like I used to. Mods don’t answer questions very often either so I quit asking.
Moderator’s note: What questions do you have that have not been answered, Debbie?
A question for the moderator. You hvnt answered the question for us. We still feel he is loney cause we never see more than one bear. It seems as if it is only one bear we see. NOt the others that are mentioned. And with the question of is there more than one cam to view the other bears. We also check your updated blogs and the last one we have seen is from Feb. Nothing recent. Can you answer my questions please.
Moderator’s note: We’ll try.
Mod, if you feel my post was inappropriate for the blog, feel free to delete them.
Nothing specific right now, it’s just when watching regularly, when something happens or comes up. Like questions from daisy, debi, lori, dreana, and Wilmafred above. I realize you can’t answer everything, but I come back in to see if you’ve been able to get an answer for the questions, and there is none.
Moderator’s note: Please know that questions a moderator can’t answer are sent to the blog post author. In some cases, it may take a while to get a response if the author is busy or on vacation. We are so grateful for keepers who take the time from their busy work schedules to write blog posts, as this is certainly not part of their regular duties.
Well this question is to the mediator, we feel you still have not addressed our question regarding does the polar bear have interaction with the other bears, I feel so sorry for this bear we view him daily and never, never see him with another bear just alone not even active, would actually say he looks depressed. Please let us know if there is any other bears with him. We also view all the blogs and the last update with them from you was in February. Another question is are there more cams for the other bears that we can view than just him. Please answer for us
Moderator’s note: We’ll try.
All three bears are out on exhibit throughout the day, but they are usually in different areas of our spacious habitat, so Polar Cam operators focus on whichever bear they can find. Right now they are chillin’ out, enjoying life! Each has their preferred area for rest: Tatqiq likes the sheltered spot by the beach, Chinook likes the back wall, and Kalluk hangs out by the bus road. However, right now, Chinook and Kalluk have changed spots, so you just never know!
Thank you so much for the update and answering my question. This makes me so happy in my heart to know they have each other and are not alone in the exhibit. You all keep doing your great job and enjoy how blessed you are having such a wonderful job and that you get to enjoy going to work
Wilmafred
Debbie did you see the polar bear cub on the news? He is sooooooo cute.
Tanda, no. I haven’t had the pleasure, but I am hoping for Chinook this year! I sure hope she hooks up with Kalluk so he’ll stop bee-bopping in the far end of the plunge…poor Kalluk.
At present Chinook and Kalluk are napping close to each other. I think it actually looks quite sweet. They obviously have feelings for each other.
The cub, called Kali (pronounced CUL-lee) is soon heading for Buffalo, where he will grow up with their little hand-raised cub Luna. They’ll basically grow up as brother and sister. Look here:
ullijseisbaeren (dot) wordpress.com/zoo-nachrichten/amerika/anchorage-buffalo-im-fruhjahr-zieht-kali-zu-luna/
I did the English translation a day or so ago, so it should be added shortly.
OMG Kali is so adorable, so is Luna. Do you know the difference in age between them, and will we be able to see them on a regular basis in Buffalo? I can’t wait for Chinook to have a cubbie. Seeing them makes me excited for our SDZ polars. Come on Chinook, give in to your handsome Kalluk.
They’re the same age, within weeks or so. Both are 3-4 months old.
A reminder to all who love to observe the fabulous furry three… I believe the camera operators and moderators are volunteers. I’ll be the first to agree that it’s no fun to see a hunk of driftwood when tuning in to see “our” bears, but I do appreciate those who give freely of their time. Thank you!
mrsg, I agree 100%…if not for them, we wouldn’t get to see the fabulous trio, and I do appreciate all the hard work that goes into bringing them to us by cam. It just gets frustrating when compared to the cam ops for the pandas. There are three pandas also and we get to see all of them all day on a rotating basis. Maybe I’ve just been spoiled since baby Liwu was born.
Moderator’s note: Please know that the Panda Cam operators have five different cams/locations to choose from when showing a panda, but the Polar Cam operators have just one. For pandas, if the cub’s exhibit is being serviced, for example, the operator switches views to another panda in a different exhibit. When the polar bear exhibit is serviced, there is not another area or bear to switch to, so the operators are directed to point the cam in a neutral spot. Yes, it is a different viewing experience, but we hope this explanation helps.
Moderator, thanks for the explanation. Was not aware that the plunge only has one camera.
Debbie, I hear your frustration. Thank you moderator, for clearing up some of the issues that hinder our viewing at the plunge. Maybe SDZ will consider adding another cam. I know there are no cubs here… but we love and are devoted to “our” terrific three none-the-less! Some would consider watching a snoozing polar bear a complete bore… it’s ZEN for me!
Awe, Kalluk and Chinook laying by one another. Has she let him anywhere near her yet for breeding purposes?
Moderator’s note: Not yet.
After about my third trek up to the plunge, the bears were still sleeping. I was ready to complain to myself when I heard a young boy ask his dad, why the keepers wont wake the bears up for the people to see them. Dad’s reply was that we are here for the bears’ benefit, the bears are not here for our benefit. That brought me back to reallity. Sometimes we forget this is a zoo, not a circus. Also, the cam gives us a little insight to what goes on daily, and for that little insight, we are grateful.
Well said! I would like to thank the cam operator for focusing on Tatqiq right now. Ever the princess, she is lying on her side with a paw on a rubber container, and munching on carrots at the same time! She sure knows how to enjoy her life!
Thank you, Nancy, for posting this. You have captured how we feel, too! When we see our beautiful three sound asleep on exhibit, we are happy knowing they are content and feel secure in their home. We do greatly enjoy their play, but they don’t always choose times that any of us are watching! How wonderful they are so comfortable and independent. And thank you, Dad, for teaching your son how to truly appreciate the animals we are so lucky to share.
How many carrots or pounds of carrots do the bears eat a day?
Currently 100 pounds between all 3. Guess how much “processed” carrot we pick up the next day!
Oh my Goodness that’s alot of carrots! Hmmmm….100 Ibs +more for whatever else they’ve eaten? LOL!
Thanks for your answer
I’m gonna guess 80lbs…lol
Aww poor Kalluck seems to be getting a bit thin. He just emerged from the water looking very tall and lean. I hope the poor guy’s hormones settle down soon.
Hi this is Wilmafred it is 5 55 west coast time, and just viewing the polar bears the one eating carrots and the one in the water hole. I have to ask WHAT in the world is happening to him in the water hole, he seems to be doing a mating dance same repetition of movement in the water over and over, I actually feel sorry for him, it seems he lost his mind for REAL
is this part of him showing off for her, and if so how much longer does this have to go on before they can mate, she seems to pay no interest at all in this. Please answer ASAP, cause my heart is breaking for him, He is crazy. Lol
From what I’ve read and Mods commented, it’s kalluk, and it is his frustration because Chinook won’t let him mate with her yet. It is mating season and he is a ready and willing participant, to bad Chinook is not.
You can see chit-chat about it above in the blog. It’s like pacing. He’s just working off extra energy.
Happy Easter to everyone. Thank you SDZ staff and volunteers for your hard work and dedication to these animals. Just had to smile as I pictured these three bears with bunny ears on
How cute would that be? lol
Somehow I doubt if they’d cooperate.
Yeah you’re probably right..but a girl can dream! lol
It would be great if the cam operator would leave the camera on a wide angle view of the area so we can see everything, instead of looking at the ground and a piece of wood all the time… just saying.
Chinook looks like she’s been putting on some weight lately and her belly looks more round.
After shedding their winter coats, why does kalluk’s undercoat make him look black/dirty while the girls still look pearly white. Have they shed less than him or is this something that happens to male polar bears? I would think this would not be helpful for blending in in the wild.
As a side note i saw tatqiq and kalluk playing earlier, so cute. Even being bigger than her, Kalluk was running away from Tatqiq instead of the other way around. Such the gentleman, he knows in order to play he has to let the girl win. haha!
Then miss chinook got jealous and came over to watch, which of course made Kalluk stop to let his lady know that its ok, hes just playing and offer if she wanted to play too. she didn’t so he went back to his normal frustrated dancing. Oh the lives of these polar bears is just as active as a high school.
Aww, thanks for sharing such a cute story with us. I never see the bears playing together and every time I see poor Kalluk, he’s bobbing away still.
I’ve noticed that with his coat too.
Chinook and Tatqiq have almost completed their molt. Kalluk has only shed the under fur so that is why he looks so dark especially when he is wet. This will grow in once his body starts using his food energy for something other than breeding drive.
Very interesting, thank you. Has there been any progress on the breeding front? Is Chinook allowing Kalluk anywhere near her, and how long of a period do they have to breed before it is to late? Sorry for all the questions, but “curious minds”.
I think it can be any time up into May or June. I know that the female needs sexual activity to stimulate ovulation, but I don’t know what brings on the spike in her hormones. Certainly polar bears in zoos all over are warm for each others’ forms right now. Whatever it is, Kalluk’s neck dancing doesn’t seem to be doing it for Chinook.
he needs to start chasing her around the plunge. I hope we don’t have another year with no cubbies. It’s supposed to be tough for the pandas, but Bai has had six. Panda team is doing something right.
Oh no! I think Chinnok just pooped all over the mesh and in front of it where they feed them and do training sessions for the public to see.
Those keepers certainly don’t have an easy job! Rewarding I’m sure, but not easy.
LOL!
When the bears get their bones to eat, is it raw and full of meat, or is the bone already cleaned off by the keepers and the bears just get the little scraps left on the bone?
The bones come with very little left on them other than fat around the joints. We trim the fat and the bears get the scraps as reinforcers inside the building. We don’t like to put bones with a lot of meat and fat left in the exhibit because it could cause food based aggression.
Never thought of that. It wouldn’t be a pretty sight I’m sure. You all are awesome at what you do. Thanks for taking good care of the polars.
Looking at the Polar Cam, I wish I was a Polar Bear sleeping in the sun on the grass. Hold that thought………:).
Chinook is sleeping in the sand, she looks so beautiful, and her hair is really coming in where her eye surgery was. I love these bears so so much. Hoping for her to become a mommy this year. : )
Polar Team: Kalluk is looking very lean these days. Has he lost alot of weight?
It’s so hard seeing the poor guy like this. Just now he was itching at his fur repeatedly and gnawing on the fur on his wrists and rolling around with his paws over his head. But I trust what you say that he is not suffering, just frustrated. I know he’s in the best hands possible. Just wish the poor guy didn’t have to be this way for so many months. I just want to see him playing and having fun.
He has in fact been gaining weight since February. The molting of his winter coat may be why he looks thin to you.
Thank you for your response. I realize how busy you all are and appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions.
I’m glad to hear he’s been gaining weight. Thanks again
I give up on the cam operators for the polar bears. Last year I was able to watch tatqiq and kalluk play in the plunge, chase each through the exhibit, and just have fun. This year so far i have yet to see any action in the plunge. The camera just stays put on one thing. Right now it’s been on Chinook for over 45 min. Where are the other two and why aren’t they panning back and forth to them as well?
Yes, it’s true that lately Chinook is the leading lady, but don’t give up. I think Tatqiq and Kalluk will play together soon, or no later than in May. Around the breeding season they don’t play with each other. Now Kalluk is just recovering from his hormonal „madness” and besides he must be very week. Tatqiq seems to be still listless, either because she feels neglected by him, either because of her contraceptive makes her moody, or both.
Awe..I’m guessing there has been no mating yet? It makes me feel sad that tatqiq feels neglected. I really love her, and loved seeing her chase kalluk around the plunge, and the sparing between the two of them. It’s just not the same anymore. Makes me sad : (
Where is Tatqiq? I am always seeing Chinook, but never “my girl” Tatqiq.
All three bears are out every day until around 1pm. At that time we decide if Kalluk and Chinook will be on exhibit the rest of the day or if they will be in the backyard and Tatqiq will have the exhibit. As we get closer and closer to breeding, you will see Kalluk and Chinook on exhibit after 1pm more than you will see Tatqiq. We want to give the breeding pair as much space as possible overnight as we approach breeding.
Polar Team :Sorry to interupt, so they have not mated yet? When they do, will Kalluk settle down and return to normal almost immediatly or is a more gradual thing as his hormones go back to normal?
Thank you so very much for the response, I do appreciate it. And I understand if we want a little cubbie, we need to keep them together. Has Chinook given any hope to poor Kalluk?, and will you guys blog for us if they do?
One of the bears is on cam now and they look strange. Rather thinner than usual and their fur looks torn or as though tufts are coming out. Is it a shedding season or something for them? I don’t think I have ever seen this.
That’s probably Kalluk you’re seeing Debi. I thought he looked thin too but the polar team said he is actually gaining weight. Also his fur is shedding his winter coat I believe. I saw what looked like patches of it coming out yesterday. Poor boy isn’t looking the greatest lately
I didn’t realize that Chinook and Kalluk have another breeding period coming so quickly. how long of a window will they have to breed? will there be more breeding windows this year? although I hope this upcoming breeding period will be successful.
When they do the training sessions with the bears in front of zoo visitors, how do they get the bears to come over? Do they call them or do they just come when they see the keeper? I love watching it, it’s so cute ♥
Bears are curious!
My Polar Bears look soooooo sad……..
Happy bears playing in pool this morning!! Ball throwing and wrestling… BEAR FUN!!
Awe…I missed it all, had to work. To bad we don’t have Doxie-Mom in this blog, to get video of this stuff.
I never seem to catch them playing for some reason.
LOL awww poor Chinook’s standing at the mesh gate all alone looking totally dejected like where is everyone, where’s my treats?
Awww!! She just layed down like a puppy dog and layed her head on her paws. Sooooo cute!! ♥ love her
Visited over the weekend and saw the female looking very plump (gorgeous) – do we know yet if she’s expecting? Wonder why we never see her on cam.
I was watching her [sleep] the other day. She does have a lovely round tummy.
That’s funny – I just saw her, I think…nevermind…:)
Adorable, Chinook and Kalluk laying by one another. Has she given in to him yet? Please let us know. There hasn’t been a new blog since the end of Feb.
Kalluck cracks me up. He just dumped the whole bucket of carrots in the water to get to them better but because of the water current, most of them washed away
LOL! Now he has like 5 of them in his mouth at one time. I saw an old picture of him like this on one of the blogs. He’s so funny!
What kind of work was done on the enclosure on Tuesday? everything looks the same.
I believe they added a layer of concrete where the old stuff broke away. It was done right by the rock formation Tatqiq uses.
They also power washed the pool.
Man I want to be in a pool in California eating carrots TOO!!! So cute.
Would they do artificial insemination on the polar bear if she won’t mate? I know they are doing that with the panda’s but haven’t seen it mentioned about polar bears. I know nothing about the polar bears other than they are huge, beautiful and have a wonderful huge exhibit in San Diego Zoo. Love that zoo.
They’ve been experimenting with it through the Cincinnati Zoo although it’s the bears in Rochester NY, they’re using. They have no male bear in Cincinnati. There was a procedure done on Aurora (ullijseisbaeren (dot) wordpress.com/2012/08/19/cleveland-basteln-fur-aurora/) there last year, but without result. Now I think they’re experimenting with hormone injections with Berit, the female in Cincinnati. There must be a male bear involved, but I don’t know which it is.
Tanda, as you can see, they don’t blog here very often. It’s nothing like the panda blogs. We are able to learn so much about them. Your guess is as good as mine on any information. I did ask for a new blog further up the page, but got no response.
hI Debbie, I see they don’t monitor this site as much as the panda blog. Maybe if they do mate the bears they will let us know. Hope things are going well for you, I am so busy this time of year with the weeds. Oregon grows weeds so fast you can see the grow. lol It is from all the rain we get I guess.
Hi Tanda, things are good for me, thanks for asking. Yard work is something I leave to hubby, but I know its back breaking work at times. I feel for ya! I do hope they keep us informed on whats going on. This morning, they opened at 9am, and I kept checking back for the cam to find the bears, but after 4 hrs. of just the sand, I gave up. Take care, and don’t work to hard.
Chinook looks so peaceful..♥♥
could the cam person please focus on the bear in the plunge and not the concrete.
Seeing the Koala, the baby Condor, Ape, Elephant’s, and Panda cams are all on the animals. Polar is focused on the sand since opening. 2 1/2 hrs. now. Just sayin.
Beautiful close-ups of Miss Chinook, thank you,cam op.
Any possibility of a blog update? We haven’t had one of our lovely arctic giants since February. Any updates on Chinook? Are they breeding? Are they done breeding? Is she putting on any weight or is it too soon? If they have what would be the earliest date for a possible cub? Any new enrichment items lately? I rarely see them swimming and playing around with all the little balls like I used to. Most of the time it is focusing on an empty beach or an empty slab of concrete!
Yay! Bright yellow balls! I haven’t seen those yet! Lovely bear taking a big snooze on a palm. Chinook or Kalluk? Someone swimming gently through the pool, maybe Taqiq? I hope all are safe in SDZ as I just heard about some bad wildfires in Southern California.
Thanks for asking for info. I feel all alone in here. No one gives any info as you can see. There hasn’t been a blog since the end of Feb. The other day, I tried to watch them, so I started at Zoo opening hoping I could catch some play before the day got to warm for them, but after 4 hrs. of just sand I gave up. I wished I lived in SD, I would volunteer for cam duty. I can understand that one person has to watch all the cams, but 4 hours is a bit long, especially when I check the other cams and their all on animals, except for the Polar bears. : (
Debbie,
The cams are often not on the orangutans either- just their termite mound or the stone steps or an empty sitting post. I try not to complain as I realize that the cams are operated by volunteers and we are lucky to even have the oppertunity to see these animals, but it’s just disapointing not to be able to see the animals that are offered for viewing.
I really miss the moderators answering our questions.
Shame really.
Monitor’s note: JoAnne is working on a new post about our polar bears.
Daisy,
I too miss the moderation. This is how I learned so much about our Polar Bears and Pandas. I can tell who’s who just by watching them eat. Am I obsessed or what? The Mods were so informative with all the info they know. And yes it is disappointing, and I complain a lot. I’m sure when they see the post, they say “oh my, not her again”. I think they are used to my moaning all the time. I do understand, but sometimes I just have to vent. I absolutely love SDZ, and the animals couldn’t be in better hands, but dang-it I want to see them!
Yeah, Joanne, A new post, can’t wait. Thanks!
Oh yeah, I have another question…hope to get a simple answer. The other day I was watching Tatqiq playing in the plunge with a large culligan water jug. In it was a carrot, and I saw her pick up 3 more carrots at one time. She had her back to the cam, and i couldn’t see well, but it looked like she was trying to put them in the bottle. Did you guys put them in there for stimulation, or am I nuts thinking she might be smart enough to be putting them in?
Chinook is sleeping in her favorite spot, with her back legs crossed. What a sweetheart she is.
Two bears playing roughly in the water, having lots of fun! One is definitely Kalluk. Is the other Tatqiq? If it is Chinook I don’t think I have ever seen her so willing to play rough with him! Tatqiq, OTOH is very into cornering her brother and giving him a good run for his money!
Yep, thats Tatqiq. I love , love, love watching this.
what would be involved to get more volunteers to be cam operators for the polar bears? Especially when compared to the panda cams, the polar bears receive about 10% of the coverage. Perhaps we need to complain more so the operators realize there are lots and lots of p.b. lovers out here.
I think you have to live in SD, and take classes on how to run them. I’m 2500 miles away, or I would do it in a heartbeat. I love my Polars and Pandas!
It’s now 10:45 SDZ time. No sign of polars. The cam’s just been zoomed in on a log all morning. Same with the orangutans- just zoomed in on an empty termite mound. Frustrating.
Don’t get me wrong because I LOVE the panda’s, but the camera follows them non stop throughout the day. Some of us love the polars and orangutans just as much.
I am watching Kalluk (?) playing with the white barrel, biting it, pouncing on it, pressing down on it, and against the viewing glass at times. With such determination, it had me worried for moments that the glass might break!!!
But so fun to watch the bear balancing the barrel on its belly in the pool.
Thanks cam operator!