Two’s Company, Three’s a Party!
Posted at 10:51 am July 2, 2007 by Kelly Murphy
We have just finished our second week of introductions with our three polar bears. As you probably remember, Chinook lost her sibling, Shikari, back in April and has been by herself these past few months. (See Kelly’s last blog, Polar Bear Update.) In the interest of companionship, as well as the potential for future breeding, we decided to introduce Chinook to Kalluk and Tatqiq.
After discussing the best strategy, we decided to start on June 19, mostly because we would have plenty of people to observe what was to unfold over the next several days. Like people, you can’t make animals like each other if they don’t want to. Fortunately for us, that wasn’t a problem. From the beginning, Kalluk was very curious. He frequently approached Chinook, “talking” to her and even extending invitations to play. Chinook was also curious and extended the same courtesy. Tatqiq, however, was a little more gun-shy. She would watch the activity but preferred to do so from afar. When Chinook approached, Tatqiq made it clear she just wasn’t quite ready to interact. Chinook was very mature about the whole process and respected Tatqiq’s wishes.
On the second day, Kalluk and Chinook had some playtime in the pool (pictured above, Kalluk on the left, Chinook on the right). But Chinook was still persistent about wanting to make friends with Tatqiq. Tatqiq’s curiosity got the better of her and on the third day, she thought that having a big sister might be kind of cool. Kalluk watched from the sidelines as Tatqiq and Chinook played in the pool just as he had done the day before. But don’t worry, on the fourth day all three were showing off and having fun as if they were old buddies. Some would even say that Chinook gave the kids a run for their money!
We have continued every day with having the three bears together for some period of time. Part of the process still involves a varying rotation, different types of shifts, and the duration of time they are all together. We are not doing constant supervision at this point, but still only having them together while the keeper is there and separating them overnight. We could not be happier with the success and we are looking forward to seeing their relationships grow. It’s been years since we’ve seen Chinook play like this and feel that the right decision was made, not only for Chinook, but also for the sake of all three bears.
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo’s Polar Bear Plunge.
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July 2nd, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I am so, so happy things are working out well. I didn’t know whether polar bears are social animals are not, but it appears they are? I am glad all 3 are playing together, my initial thought was that Chinook would be excluded. You mentioned potential breeding-Chinook isn’t too old? What has prevented Kalluk and Tatqiq from breeding so far? We know they are brother/sister but do they?
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Life on the other side is getting very exciting at SDZ for new ” family” groups. The integration of the three polar bears to each other, and the 2 groups of Swamp monkeys to each other and the otters seems to have gone as well as anyone could have hoped. It helps to overcome some of the sadness in the lives of Chinook and Kinha as they dealt with the natural relationships leaving their individual lives.
May the peace, harmony, and most of all fun continue to prevail.
July 2nd, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I couldn’t have been happier to learn about the successful introduction of Chinook to Kalluk and Tatqiq. I only hope that the good times last for the polar bears.
July 2nd, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Kelly, thanks for the wonderful update. It is so great to know that the introductions have gone well. It appears to be a rejuvenating experience for Chinook, more so than anyone could have imagined. She is showing everyone how young at heart she really is. I wonder if the constant interaction with only one other bear inhibited any of the bears? It would seem that their ” joy” at having a new ” play mate” indicates that they are benefitting from the unintended enrichment that this new opportunity has presented them. They are making the most of their time together and learning about each other. Chinook being an older, more experienced bear has much to share with her young friends. They seem to be receptive and not aggressive or intimidated. It is great that she was willing to give Tatqiq some time and space, but decided to assert herself and get her to interact.
Have you observed any reservation on the part of any of the bears when they are called inside and separated? It will be interesting to see at what point they decide they want to spend 24 x 7 together.
It will also be interesting to see how Kalluk’s relationship with Chinook continues to develop. Since he has only been exposed to one other bear, since they were very young cubs, and she is on birth control, I am curious to see how he reacts to another female now in the picture. Has Chinook ever been exposed to a male bear since she came to SDZ as a young cub? Or was she always with Shikari and that was it? Obviously they could always smell Kalluk in the area, but not up close an personal.
Have Chinook’s bedroom/inside behaviors changed a lot since she has the indoor area to herself?
Who was the dominant one of the pair, Chinook or Shikari? If it was Shikari, then it helps explain why Chinook is more playful than she has been in years. She finally found a counterpart who is willing to play with her on her terms. What a magnificent time that must be for her.
I’ll bet she is starting to eat, sleep, and behave more normally since the introductions are now in their third week.
How long before you will consider letting them stay together most of the time?
July 3rd, 2007 at 4:40 am
It is nice to see Chinook is getting along with Kalluk and Tatqiq.
Actually, I have not any chance to see them because of the time gap.
But, really thanks to other polar bear fans like Margaret, she always writes her comment of the bears. I really enjoy to read it.
July 3rd, 2007 at 7:18 am
Breeding??????
July 3rd, 2007 at 8:00 am
Im very happy to see Chinook having fun! Michelle, it said in an old article that Tatqiq is on birth control so there can’t be any inbreeding.I too have a question, If Chinook and Kalluk have cubs… how far down the road on a timeline do you think that would be?
July 3rd, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Ohhh! So happy to see that Chinook has made some new friends. She has such a great spirit…I’m bursting with pride and happiness! I hope they will enjoy each other and live long and healthy lives together.
Thanks for the update. That really made my day!
July 6th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Having viewed the four polar bears many times on the web site and visited them at the zoo, I am delighted to hear that they are all three enjoying each other’s company.
July 6th, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Glad to hear about Chinook and her new friends. Continued success! I am also sorry to hear about Shikari. You have my condolences.
July 6th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
I am very glad to see that Chinook is being introduced to the other polars and is starting to play with them. It will be exciting to see them all playing together when I come and visit.
July 6th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I am so happy to see the uniting of Chinook, Tatgig and Kalluk.
Thank you for the update on chinook and her new friends. I hope it will be a long and happy union for them all.
Response #4 Margart asked some very good questions.
I am sure many of us myself included would be most interested in seeing the answers posted on the Polar Bear blogs. Keep up the good work, you guys are Great!
Gigi
July 7th, 2007 at 10:32 am
I LOVE my newsletter it keeps me posted on whats going on at the Zoo.
Thank You
Sally
July 7th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I am so very happy that the introduction of Chinook to Kalluk and Tatqiq went so well. I have really enjoyed watched the 3 of them with their rambunctious play in the pool. One day as I watched, Kalluck gave Tatqiq a little shove that sent her into the pool as he often does. Much to my delight, Chinook immediately came over an gave Kalluk a shove and he went in the pool as well! I was shouting ” you go, girl! Show him who’s boss!” I hope they enjoy an enduring friendship!! =]
July 9th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
I’m so happy – I have tears in my eyes! What a wonderful update – please continue to update us on their friendship – you’ve done a wonderful thing!
July 11th, 2007 at 10:37 am
Finally, I got my timing right, and I am enjoying all three bears ” playing.”
One large bear is lounging by themself while the other two ” play wrestle” in the water.
They look so happy together and seem to be enjoying each other’s company.
Kudos to the keepers for your creativity, patience, and perseverence. A very sad story seems to have a much happier end than might have been expected. All the bears look to me like they are very comfortable in close proximity. Shikari would have been happy that her sister had company.
July 11th, 2007 at 10:39 am
P.S. Much to my amazement and joy, they are all ” playing” together in one big circle in the water. It is hard to tell which one is which.
July 20th, 2007 at 11:52 am
I noticed that for the past week I only see two bears or one bear. Last Wednesday the ” playing” among the three bears appeared to get a bit agressive and rough. Have you since separated Chinook from Kalluk and Tatqiq, or are they still occasionally together but I am not tuned in at the right time?
July 24th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Any updates on Chinook and Kalluk and Tatqiq?
I notice that there are only two bears out at a time when I see more than one bear. So, my guess is that it is Kalluk and Tatqiq. Did it not work to have all three of them out at once, or are you introducing Chinook to Kalluk on her own and add Tatqiq to the group later?
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Wonderful news Kelly! Just watched the video of our beautiful polar bears playing and having fun. Great underwater pictures. It was amazing watching the three bears interact – they truly looked liked they were have fun. Thank you for taking such great care of these awesome animals.
September 1st, 2007 at 1:01 pm
It is so nice to see Kalluk with Chinook! Tatqiq was the only female with Kalluk, but since she was his sister, he couldn’t mate with her. Now that Kalluk has an unrelated female, it may not be long before they breed!