Tatqiq Loses Her Necklace
Posted at 10:59 am October 9, 2007 by Kelly Murphy
In my last blog, Trash or Treasure for Polar Bears?, I wrote that Tatqiq (pictured standing on shelter) had decided to try on a plastic trash can lid as part of the enrichment process, and couldn’t (or wouldn’t) take it back off. As reported before, Tatqiq was perfectly fine wearing the lid around her neck and did not seem bothered by it in the least. After talking with my co-workers and having a face to face with our veterinarians, I was happy that we all agreed it would be better to leave her to her resources rather than have to anesthetize her.
On a few occasions we did try to intervene when she was in the holding facility, but didn’t have much success. The outcome of that also included getting Tatqiq upset and causing her to be mistrustful of us. So we decided not to continue to bother her. On the first day after, there was a good play session with all three. Kalluk almost had it off but bodies turned opposite ways and play seemed to peter out. On several other occasions either Kalluk or Chinook would grab hold of the trash lid but used it more as leverage rather than trying to pull it over Tatqiq’s head. But with each day that passed, the lid had more rips and tears, so we were still optimistic that it would come off on its own.
On the fourth day, Sunday afternoon, I received a call from my co-worker letting me know that the trash lid was off Tatqiq’s neck and floating in the water. And of course in usual polar bear fashion, Kalluk was doing his best to now try it on himself! So a pull-off quickly followed and all three bears happily came off exhibit. The trash lid was retrieved and paired with its perfectly removed center circle piece.
I don’t really know what we’re going to do with the memorabilia but, pardon the pun, I just can’t bear to trash it. I appreciate all of you who understood the situation and helped to pass on that Tatqiq was fine and there was nothing to be concerned about. From now on, I will always be taking a moment to consider what type of enrichment I might actually be offering the bears.
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Watch the bears daily on Polar Cam.
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October 9th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Kelly, maybe you could have a small area for visitors to view the polar bear memorabilia with keeper comment cards attached. I’m sure everyone had a good laugh watching her and the others bears playing while she had it around her neck. It’s great to see such happy healthy bears having a good time, you all are doing such a great job with them.
October 9th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Maybe for enrichment you could try hiding small pieces of food all over the exhibit. The bears will hopefully have fun finding the food and the guests will probably love to wath them find it, too. It is a win-win situation!!
October 9th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
It is good to hear that Tatqiq was able to be freed from her unusual necklace and all is well! Perhaps she is trying to figure out what to wear on Halloween! I wonder if polar bears, in the wild, are this playful? I have never seen such happy bears. My favourite thing is to watch them play in the water with the smaller balls and backfloat with them balancing them on their tummies! And thank you for changing the camera back to its original position. I was watching when it happened and had a delightful peek at the rest of the display as you panned around. They certainly have a beautiful home with you. Time to watch the cam!
October 9th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Kelly, glad to hear the happy ending to the ” trashy” story. Love the photo of the 3 bears together!!! They look so happy and content, like they have been together forever. Sorry that Shikari is not a part of the group, but those dynamics wouldn’t have been the same. Happy for Chinook that she has found her 2 young friends and has reenergized her into a young happy and active bear again. They sure mimick each other, don’t they?
Keep up the great tales of their adventures. I can’t seem to get enough!
October 9th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Did anyone get a picture of Tatqiq with the trash can lid on?
October 10th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
I’m so glad it finally came off. It must have been bothersome to sleep with that thing around her neck. I can fully understand how it happened though, having pets most of my life, some very strange things have happened. I applaud you for being calm and rational about it. (I always panic in situations like that.)
October 10th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
I’m also thrilled that Tatquiq’s necklace came off safely. Just have to share a wonderful moment just now on the Elephant Cam. Two of the babies (not sure which ones) were having the time of their young lives playing near and somewhat in a small waterhole that must have been created by the keepers. All that wet mud! Both mothers were very nearby keeping a close watch on their kids. Soon two more females came over to enjoy the show. It was pure enchantment!! Thanks to all of you keepers for your fabulous care of these wonderful animals
October 10th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Perhaps you could auction it off at the next zoo fundraiser? Label it ” polar bear art” and make some money to buy more toys for the enrichment team! I seem to recall the zoo doing something like this many years ago, but don’t recall the specific circumstances.
I love watching the polar bear cam, and I miss not being able to see the bears as much as I used to when I lived just down the street from the zoo (I am in another state now). But I get the thrill of visiting them ” virtually.”
October 16th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Tuesday, 1:05pm, Polar Bear Cam time! ” How to coax your fellow polar bear pal into the water.”
While dry bear sits on the rock, put red object on your tummy and do the backfloat, in a very alluring manner, back and forth in front of them, but just out of reach. Then tuck red item near the log, flip it in the air, splash dive it so fellow bear gets wet, and then dive below ledge to see what might be hiding under there. Stay under for as long as you can to peak curiosity! Warning-be prepared for fellow bear to do belly-flop on you!
I love watching these three! They make my day so much brighter!
Moderator’s note: What a fun description, Debi! Thanks for sharing.
October 17th, 2007 at 8:58 am
Debi, Thanks for sharing, sorry I missed it. I did get to see a great back rubbing on the beach yesterday. I seem to pick the times when the bears are inside or out of sight to check the camera. Boo-hoo.
October 18th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
What beach ” bums” these crazy Polar Bears can become on warm sunny days. They love to lounge on the rocks and roll in the sand. Yesterday they had a great time coaxing each other into the water and playing for a long time around the ledge and the log. Today they are in a lounging mood, although I might have missed an earlier swim. What a life! Some days I wish all I had to do was lounge around, do a sound test and other training, and then go for a playful swim and look gorgeous and appealing to my admirers on camera and in person.
October 18th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
I saw quite a few water games, today! Wrestle your Fellow Bear, Try to Sink the White Floaty Thing, Knock the Bear off the Rock and into the Water, and, my personal favourite, Who can Lift their Back Feet Up Highest when in the Water? They make such a stir in the plunge you can see white caps! They remind me of cats. Play hard and sleep hard. When you see them staring at their toy floating away from them and they just watch it, you know playtime is over and it is bear napping time! I often take their cue and head to my own bed, for a while, so I can be refreshed to watch the ” Teddy Bears” back at play, later on!
October 21st, 2007 at 1:40 pm
1:37pm Polar Bear Cam time! I think it is amazing to watch the bears reaction to the new larger white floaty thing. Instinct seems to be telling them this is floating ice and they ought to be able to stand on it and go for a ride! But ice that flips over is not ice to stand on!! So, put your toys on top, instead!
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Debi, #13, thanks for the description of the bears playing with the ” iceberg.” I was just going to write and ask if it is an artifical ” iceberg.” But, you answered the question for me. It looks like a lot of fun. Sorry I missed it as it sounds like it was one of the comical outings for the bears. Were there two or three bears playing with it? I seem to ” tune in” at the wrong times to catch all three playing. Usually there are only two and I presume it is Tatqiq and Kalluk since they are very fond of each other and play ” hard.”
I am so thankful that they have welcomed Chinook and that she has such a great opportunity to be ” young again” and play hard. Maybe there will even be some baby Chinooks or Kalluks someday, if their genes are found to be compatible.
October 27th, 2007 at 11:46 am
11:35am Polar Bear Cam time…..A Day in the Life of a Polar Bear…..
Kalluk-I am sleepy…I will play later, Tatqiq. Leave me alone. I am grumpy!
Tatqiq-But did you see all the toys? All our favourites! Float, little balls, big ball!
Kalluk-Ask Chinook to play with you. I want a nap!
Tatqiq-Come play with me, Chinook.
Chinook-Can’t right now…got a plan. (Goes in water, comes out, disappears for a while….)
Tatqiq-Look guys…this ball is yellow! Its new! How can you say no to this?
Kalluk-I am trying to take a nap, sister dear. Later!
Tatqiq-What is that??
Chinook returns on scene looking quite dirty!
Chinook-Growl!!! Look. I am a brown bear, now! Hehehehe…
Tatqiq-You are supposed to be a white polar bear. You look ridiculous. Come wash it off.
Chinook-No. I look so pretty this way! And rolling in dirt feels so good on the back!
Tatqiq-But we have balls to play with!
Chinook-No!
Tatqiq-Them I am coming out of the water to get you!!!
(Proceeds to chase Chinook back into the water…who now looks a lot cleaner!)
Tatqiq-Much better. I know you like dirt, but really…this is the weekend and we must show off our toys to the public….not the dirt.
Chinook-Fine…I will play wrestle and ball with you, but later I am going back to the dirt!
Kalluk-Yawn….females. Silly things….
(hope I got the right bears!)
October 31st, 2007 at 7:28 am
15, Debi in MA, I love it! Sorry I missed the live action! Sounds like a great time was had by two of the three at least. I am surprised that Kalluk was the one napping, but makes sense that one of them would let the other two ” play.”
November 5th, 2007 at 11:06 am
10am Polar Bear Cam Time!
Today must be the official ” scratch your back and roll’ day! While Chinook seems to be doing her best to look like a Panda Bear, rather than a Polar Bear, someone else is having one lovely stretch of back-scratching on the rocks! I always wish the cam came with sound, too! I have a feeling some bathing and water wrestling is on the agenda….