Polar Bear Update
Posted at 11:10 am June 12, 2007 by Kelly MurphyFirst, I’d like to thank everyone for all your kind and supportive words with regards to our polar bear, Shikari. (See A Tribute to Shikari.) It has definitely been a difficult time for many of us. Her illness came about quickly, and she deteriorated so rapidly that we felt euthanasia was the most humane thing for her. Numerous tests were performed in an effort to determine the cause of her illness. The results of these tests indicate that the inflammation in Shikari’s brain (encephalitis) was caused by a virus. Investigations concerning further characterization of the virus are ongoing. I am happy, however, to report that our other three bears seem healthy and well. And our concern for them minimizes some with each passing day.
As far as Kalluk and Tatqiq are concerned, life has not changed much. Sure, they notice Shikari’s absence, but otherwise there has been little difference in their routine except for a few more nights out on the exhibit, which they don’t seem to mind. As for Chinook, we have definitely noticed a change to her loss of companionship.
At first, Chinook was more agitated and frustrated, almost losing some faith and trust in us. We have been working hard to address this and to give back to Chinook the security she has lost. She has definitely improved and seems to have settled some with the changes. The biggest difference is out in the exhibit. While she still enjoys exploring, swimming, and a good roll in the dirt, she never really settles for any period of time. Through added training and enrichment sessions, and a more varied rotational system, we have had some success.
As for long-term plans, nothing is set in stone. We need to consider what is best for Chinook as well as Kalluk and Tatqiq. We need to explore all angles such as breeding, research potential, and even the possibility of moving animals to other zoos. But we know for sure that nothing will be changing in the immediate future.
Again, thank you for your concerns. I will try to get the information out there as it comes. Things take time and decisions need to be made carefully.
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo’s Polar Bear Plunge.
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June 12th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Thank you Kelly for the update. Many, many of us have been concerned about Chinook. Please continue to keep us updated.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Thanks, Kelly. I am sure that this has been a very difficult time for everyone. It has been compounded by seeing Chinook missing Shikari. It is difficult not to anthropomorphize and instantly put all three bears together for companionship, as humans would tend to do for each other. However, they are wild animals, and as such they don’t react like humans do. Although they are familiar with the smell, sound, and even sight of each other, that is not the same as being in physical contact for extended periods of time.
With Cranbeary getting back on exhibit in Memphis, they had to take it very slowly, and those bears have been together for years.
Do the bears have visual access to each other through mesh, similar to the Howdy Gate for the pandas? If so, have any of them made any changes in the way they view/greet each other since the dynamics have changed?
Since Chinook is much older than Tatqiq and Kalluk that is also an important dynamic that you have to take into consideration. What is the average life span of a polar bear in a zoo? What is their normal reproductive age span in captivity?
Would Chinook be more likely to be accepted in another zoo scenario by other animals, or by ones that are familiar with her smell and sound? You may not know the answer to these questions yet, as it is still a new world to Chinook, and Tatqiq and Kalluk.
Do you think the faith and trust issue happened because you ” took” Shikari away from her? Although wild animals don’t think the way we do, she would probably have noticed that Shikari was taken away and never came back.
It is sad watching Chinook sprawl out on the beach, and then trying to get comfortable. She doesn’t stay long and is quickly out of view.
Which of the bears is the one that seemed to be pacing in the central part of the exhibit near the tall rocks of what I presume is the bedroom area? Was that Shikari as a result of her illness, or was it Chinook reacting to Shikari being gone? It all happened around the time that Shikari was ill, and I have not seen it since you reported that she had died.
May your brains rule your hearts as you make difficult compassionate decisions about what is best for Chinook in her future. She has many years of live left to live, and you want to be sure she has the best quality of life possible.
June 12th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Thank you Kelly for the latest info, This is surely something that was unforseen and poor Chinook has to adjust to a new situation without her sister. It will take time, but she will come around with all the love and care she is getting from everyone she will be okay. I know that whatever decision about her future it will be in her best interest. Please let us know how she is doing.
June 12th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Thanks for your update on Chinook…I’m sure she will eventually be better with all the extra love and care you’re all giving her! Hugs to you my brave girl-bear…
June 12th, 2007 at 5:38 pm
I feel so incredibly sad for Chinook – hopefully she will start to feel better and not so lonely soon. I think we forget that animals can feel incredibly sad when one of their buddies dies. Keep giving her extra goodies and love from all of us.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Does Chinook still ” sleep in” as late as she did when Shikari was with her? Which of them was really the sleepy head? If she is lonely and depressed, she probably sleeps in smaller fits and starts now that she is alone. The smaller area of the bedroom is more likely to really remind her that Shikari is not there anymore, especially if they used each other for a pillow.
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:13 am
All three polar bears are swimming together this morning. Yes!!
June 25th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
I’m so glad you have been able to integrate Chinook with Kalluk and Tatqiq. It was a joy to see all three of them together today.
June 25th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I am thrilled to hear that all three bears are together. Hopefully it will help Chinook regain her composure and ease the loss of her sister. I am disappointed that I have missed seeing all of them out on exhibit. I read #7 Willie’s post at about 2 PM PDT today, and quickly checked but no one was out swimming at that time. I will check again tomorrow. It brought tears to my eyes to think of such a wonderful sight.
When you get a chance, please post a quick message to tell us how Chinook is doing.
June 25th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
I am thrilled that the three bears have integrated well, and are now on exhibit together. Hopefully it will help ease the loss of Shikari for Chinook, and will provide unexpected enrichment for Tatqiq and Kalluk. With the new friends, and experiences hopefully Chinook will quickly return to her former glorious self.
When you get a chance, please post a brief update on Chinook. We have all been concerned about her during her stressful sad time after Shikari passed away.
Watching the interaction of the three bears has also brought some of the joy and happiness back into your lives as well, I hope.
June 26th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Kelly, how wonderful that chinook has been integrated with ” the boys ” . this is the best medicine to have a friend in your time of need. Have you noticed any difference in her since the three of them have been together. I’m sure with all the love she gets from the keepers and the boys she will be a happy bear once again. Great Job.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:56 am
Kelly, how is Kalluk reacting to having two girls to play with? He is used to having his sister Tatqiq, but now he has a new friend, Chinook. Has Chinook ever been with a male polar bear since she came to the zoo as a youngster? If not, this is a new experience for her too. What a great enrichment opportunity, as well as just plain fun for everyone, keepers included.
Are the bears together in the bedrooms now as well, or just on exhibit. Since it is a new experience for them, it might be less stressful for Chinook to have her ” den” /bedroom to herself for a while to adjust to these new friends in her life. Besides, if she continues the antics she and Shikari had in the blogs about them and their sleeping and housekeeping habits, she might need to have the whole area to herself like she is used to.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Barbara # 11 Tatqiq is a girl.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Michelle, Oops my bad. Thanks
June 29th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Did they put all three polar bears together? It looks like there are three in there today.