The Femur Bone Connects to the…
Posted at 11:15 am June 4, 2008 by Kelly Murphy
Well, the end of spring is here and summer is quickly approaching. Bear Awareness days were a great success and I think we’re ready to call it quits on the breeding season (see Kelly’s blog, Love Lost at Polars?).There have been no changes with the polar bears other than the usual acknowledgement of the warming weather. This tends to heighten the activity levels and all of the bears are utilizing the pool on a daily basis. We still have them separated into pairs but discussions are taking place regarding housing the three together again. In the meantime, they delight themselves and our guests with their individual play as well as their roughhousing with each other.
While Kalluk has always been known for his more destructive play, Tatqiq remains the princess, very graceful and deliberate in her actions. It’s Chinook (pictured), however, who has decided to come up with a new game of her own. And not with the other bears, but with me! As you may know, a few times a week Chinook has overnight exhibit access. On many of these occasions, she is given her cow femur bone to help pass the time. Since the bears’ regular diet is often used for shifting and training, we try to vary the presentation of some of the other food items we may offer. There are only so many options with a bone, due to its shape and size, which still allow accessibility for the bears. So I’ve tried to be more creative, and Chinook has shown her appreciation.
For a while, it seemed that if I just placed the bone somewhere on land, I would often find it at the bottom of the pool the next morning (sometimes difficult to fish out, but always favored over the times she would hide it in the stash pipe where I can’t get to it at all). It’s fairly typical for all of the bears to turn their bone into a toy when they’re done chewing all the good morsels off of it. Because of this, Kalluk is not supposed to have bones on exhibit because of that aforementioned destructive nature. So, there’s always pressure to retrieve the bone after Chinook has had one on exhibit!
Hoping that Chinook would be less inclined to play hide and seek with it if she had to ” work” to get it, I tried hiding it among some of the deadwood one night. It was still fairly obvious, but she did have to traverse the climbing structure to get at it. Of course, it didn’t take her long before she found it and was able to pull it free. I at least went home with a little satisfaction. The next morning, I shifted her off exhibit and was going about my morning routine. My co-worker that day decided to clean and prepare the exhibit. When I went out to ask her a question, I noticed the bone sitting among the same piece of deadwood where I had placed it the night before. I just assumed my colleague had done this. It wasn’t until she commented about not seeing a bone on the exhibit that I realized it wasn’t my partner but rather Chinook who so cleverly replaced it where she had found it. I chalked it up to coincidence and definitely left this day with a smile on my face.
The next time it was Chinook’s turn to go out overnight, we had just received some palm browse. I made a nice bed for her out of burlap sacks and palm leaves in the back of the exhibit where she likes to sleep. Her bone was nestled in the plant material. The next morning, there the bone was, conveniently lying on top of her bed and quite easily retrieved. This didn’t surprise me much, as I figured she just had a quiet evening and lazily dined while she slept. Yet I still took note that it was left for me in the same spot I had placed it for her. But it was the next story that really had me shaking my head.
There is a log in the exhibit that floats in the main pool. It is tethered with a chain so that it can’t drift too far from shore and be used as a battering ram. I ever so carefully crawled out onto the log as far as I could reach and balanced the bone on top. It was just far enough out that Chinook couldn’t reach it by land and had no choice but to knock it off and retrieve it in the water. Again, it didn’t take her long to figure this out. So, can you guess what I found when I returned the next morning? Yep, there was that bone, carefully balancing atop the floating log just as I had left it for Chinook. Fortunately for me, I have tools I can use to retrieve it rather than going for an early morning swim!
The intelligence and creativity of these bears never cease to amaze me. Just when you think you have an understanding of their thought process, you realize you’ve only hit the tip of the iceberg (no pun intended!). I’m not sure if Chinook was trying to challenge me in the same way I was her, or if she was trying to let me know it wasn’t challenging enough and that even she could do that. Either way, I’m sure we were both amused and appreciated what we were trying to offer the other!
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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June 4th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Woot, woot!! Alrighty then, Chinook! You go girl! How fun for you, Kelly, to have Chinook turn the tables and try and make things more interesting for you! I think animals are SO much smarter than we give them credit for. Look forward to hearing more about this intelligent and adventurous girl – and her roommates, of course… =]
June 4th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I loved this story!! What a smart bear — and how exciting for you to work with her — and all of them for that matter. I can’t wait to hear more… and I always check the Polarcam to see what they are up to. Whenever they are in the water — it just looks so tempting — and seems like it would be so fun to join them. Congrats on a great job!!
June 4th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Kelly, you are a great story teller! Wish we could use Chinook to train some people to put things away!
BTW, is there a possibility that the bone is in the same place because Chinook has not touched it?
June 4th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I’d say Chinook is testing Kelly. No doubt.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
This has been a wonderful blog on the polar bears, especially Chinook! I really enjoy reading it. Thanks for sharing this story, and I hope you and Chinook continue to enjoy the fun you’ve had so far!
June 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Kelly, you have 2 smart polar bears on your hands! What are you going to do to top all of that for them? They keep you thinking, don’t they? Sorry to read that you all won’t be having a baby polar bear this year! I know that you would like for things to go in a natural way as far as breeding, but have you all ever discussed doing artificial insemination on either one of the polar bear girls? That could be an option for you. I also think that you may need to check our the 2 girls for any signs of their eggs are good samples or not and check out Kalluk to see if he has enough sperm samples. Then, you all can possibly figure out why these bears are not doing their thing during breeding season! Hope so! Anyway, you all are having some fun with these great looking bears. I’m glad that you are working towards getting all 3 of them back together again! Three may be a crowd but it’ll be a fun crowd for these bears!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 6th, 2008 at 10:18 am
How wonderful! Every day’s a fun day with these bears. That’s why I love animals; they never cease to amaze me with their ingenuity and their fun ways. We can learn so much from them. It’s got to be fun ” working” at the SDZ.
June 6th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
What a great story. Those bears are not only beautiful, they are so smart. You keepers are very lucky. Thanks for the great updates.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I don’t know — the last couple of days — there has been a lot of ” playing/flirting” going on in the pool. Today was a very warm day — perfect swimming weather — and the bears looked like they were have a great time. I was so jealous — being stuck at my desk — wishing I could join them. They really are so incredibly adorable — and so, so smart! Well — maybe they just needed to get to know each other better — and we can look forward to next year — and hopefully a romance will develop. In the meantime — it’s just fun to watch them — and know that they are enjoying themselves. Who wouldn’t want to hang out at the SD Zoo pool on a beautiful day like today — those lucky bears!! And Susan # 7 — I haven’t forgotten about you and your daughter getting to come out and spend time behind the scenes with the Pandas and Polars. I am so anxiously waiting to hear all about it — so don’t forget to write.
June 7th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Hi Cheryl – no we haven’t forgotten either! There’s a huge pile of things to take with us already building up on the bedroom floor. So excited, so nervous!!
Kelly. I forgot to ask you: how deep is the polar bear pool?
June 7th, 2008 at 10:11 am
What a lovely story! Chinook is having fun playing games with you!!!! How exciting! It just goes to show how playful and intelligent animals are and how each one has such a unique personality! I think this is so cool! I am sure she is having fun wondering where the toy will be next, as well as putting a smile on her own face as she places it back in its original spot for you! A little bear chuckle, too! Hehehe! Polar bears are amazing! I am glad they are all well and having fun playing about and having nice swimming adventures in the hot weather!!!
June 7th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
What a lovely close-up of one of the Polars today (4.35pm SDZ time). I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a close view of them.
June 8th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I finally had the pleasure of going to the zoo June 1st. I was in awe and almost brought to tears at how close I finally was to these beautiful bears…..I finally got to see them up close and personal playing in their pool. They are ever so smart… (as this was the one exhibit i spent most of my time).. after they were thru eating their carrots, (except whom I’m sure was Kalluk who a bit later brought some into the pool with him), he and Chinook knew they were there to entertain us. He ever so carefully pushed Chinook into the pool where they wrestled for a bit, and floated about chewing on carrots. Needless to say I’ve got some awesome up close pictures that
I would not trade for all the money in the world !! Even my boyfriend was in awe of these magnificent playfull, smart, perfect bears. I must say reading about them, and seeing them on the ” cams” …. does not do justice to how well rounded the animals are, there at the SDzoo. We even got to talk to the keeper of the Hyena’s who came out and stood with us after marking their exhibit with peanut butter for the first time, as new enrichment for them he told us, and watching their reaction with us after they were let out for the day. Just a great experience at the SD zoo, it was everything I expected and more. After reeading stories like Kelly’s it just makes me proud that I got to see them finally, after watching them for so long on the Polar Bear cam.
Just like Kelly and the other keepers, you can tell it’s much more then just a job to you all, it’s a way of life you wouldnt change for the world, and the animals there show that they benefit from your love and care =)
Of course I also got to see Bai playfully knock Zhen off her perch that morning too. Glad I was there !!
June 9th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Thanks, Kelly, for a very funny account of life with the most creative ” thinking out of the box” Chinook. She has come a long way in a year, and is a playful girl again. She and Kalluk appear to really enjoy each other’s company, and she obviously enjoys ” playing” with keepers too. Do you notice any difference in how he interacts with Tatqiq versus Chinook now that breeding season seems to be winding down? In human terms he and Tatqiq are familiar with each other, although they have been separated for much of the past few months. However, he and Chinook have only been around each other close up for less than a year. Since they operate mostly from instinct, and the past few months by hormones too, they wouldn’t be likely to react as human minds might think they would.
Sounds like a fun time was had by everyone, bears included.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Hi Kelly – Your blog had me ” in stitchesâ€. After reading your account on the hide and seek routine, I totally agree with Sayuri #4 ” Chinook is testing Kellyâ€! There is no doubt that Chinook is a very clever and intelligent polar bear.
During snow day at the exhibit last month, we got to watch Chinook and Kalluk entertaining the crowd of visitors. The two bears had us all going from the underwater viewing room then back up to the outdoor viewing level.
Finally, the bears decided to stay in the shallow end of the pool where they would grapple one another, slide on the snow, wrestle, and tumble. They would take a rest and then start in again. Kalluk and Chinook enjoyed searching for the enrichment toys and treats buried in the snow. Both bears thoroughly amused the crowd for at least 35 minutes non-stop.
I must admit that Chinook always had the ” upper handâ€. (At least while we were there). Poor Kalluk, a few times he had to jump into the pool to escape. During this rowdy time, Chinook grabbed Kalluk by his ear and held on to it for a few seconds. There was no doubt in my mind that they were enjoying themselves immensely. I spoke with a very lovely woman who is a daily visitor. She told me that the bears do this all the time and that they really enjoy roughhousing.
Susan (UK) #10 – Regarding your question on the depth of the pool. This is an estimate: The depth of the pool at the underwater viewing window is roughly 15-feet. The outdoor viewing window overlooks a shallow pool with a beautiful beach.
Susan, I am also eagerly awaiting to hear all about your visit to the San Diego Zoo next month.
June 10th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Rose #15, thank you for your info on the depth of the pool. While I’m waiting to see the polars for real, I’m sat here looking at the beautiful picture that Chinook painted which was auctioned last month – my husband bought it in the auction without me knowing and had it sent over for my birthday last weekend!! I was/am still stunned by the beauty of it and thank all the staff who signed the card sent with it. I’m rather overwhelmed, actually. It will take pride of place in the living room. Now, all I have to do is make sure I’ve got enough room in my suitcase for ZZ……!!
June 10th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Is there a chance that Tatqiq and Chinook may not get along after spending so much time apart… could there be some tension when they are reintroduced ?
Susan # 16 – what an awesome gift from your husband !!
June 10th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
It’s 12:15 PM (PT) and two polar bears are fast asleep on opposite ends of the exhibit. They look so sweet and peaceful.
Susan (UK) #16 – Happy belated birthday! What a thoughtful and wonderful birthday gift from your husband.
Ha ha, you know you can always buy a spare suitcase at the Zoo before you leave
. I often wish we could all take turns babysitting Zhen Zhen.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:18 am
So this morning around 8:15 am, I decided to check the Polar bear cam, not sure why, since usually at this time of the morning, the keepers are cleaning thier pool, and placing their food, and that’s all one gets to see. Well, what an awesome surprise to see first thing in the morning, all 3 bears frolicking together in the pool !! =)
They all look totally content and happy to be playing about with one another, taking turns going after each other in their play wrestling ways. So cool !!
June 20th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I have been noticing a lot more play and nuzzling between various bears, lately, and more water play. Is this perhaps because the breeding season is over and things are calming down? Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be, this year. They all look like they prefer to be big babies and play! And I want to join them! It is hot and humid, here, and the plunge looks inviting!!
November 10th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I <3 Polar bears
December 4th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I admit I don’t get to see the polar bears (via polar cam) as much as I’d like but they facinate me so much. I read yesterday the Knut (in Germany) may be forced to look for a new home. Would the SDZ be interested in acquiring him to bring your bear family back to four?
Our Curator of Mammals responds: The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) manages polar bears in North American zoos, following the Polar Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP). Now that Knut may be needing a new home, we will ask the Polar Bear SSP coordinator to evaluate how to best support finding an appropriate new home for him.