Polar Bear from my Bunk Bed Window!
Posted at 9:00 pm October 12, 2008 by AliciaAlicia Valencia is the San Diego Zoo’s 2008 Arctic Ambassador to the Polar Bears International Leadership Camp. She is spending a week on the tundra in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, watching polar bears and teaming up with other dynamic teens to become leaders for polar bear conservation. Read her previous blog, Surviving and Thriving on the Tundra.
While writing this blog, the feeling in my hands slowly returns. About five minutes before writing, I was outside in the cold snapping photos of a magnificent sunset overlooking the tundra landscape. I can see the horizon steadily turning from red to midnight blue through the reflection of the water as I continue watching the landscape from the inside of the lounge car. Over my shoulder the moon shines high in the sky above the bay. I am very excited for tonight because the sky is so clear that we may see the Northern Lights!
I will never forget the way I woke up this morning. As I began to climb out of my bunk, I was jolted awake to the screech of ” POLAR BEAR!” I looked out from my small bunk window, and there, only a couple yards away, was a gigantic male polar bear tramping toward the Tundra Buggy Lodge. The bear lugged its way over to the lodge to investigate the breakfast smell coming from the dining car. Throughout the day the bear continued to stay near the lodge, providing us with many photo opportunities and behavioral observations.
During the afternoon, we heard an interesting presentation about polar bear care and behavioral enrichment in zoos. This presentation included information about ” artificially induced natural behavior.” We learned that different objects like street sweeper brushes, balls, and plastic child play structures can trigger behaviors bears exhibit in the wild like back scratching on bushes and play-fighting. This description lead to a dynamic discussion about natural enrichment and unnatural enrichment like manufactured play toys. Does manufactured enrichment induce positive behaviors if it isn’t from a natural source?
I cant wait to see the Northern Lights tonight!
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October 14th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Did you get to see the Northern Lights? I saw a programme recently where Joanna Lumley went in search of the Lights. And she found them. Even though I was watching them on a TV, I felt tingles running up my spine, it was so magical. I know the weather has to be perfect so I hope it stayed fine for you.
October 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Alicia, I am so excited for you that you are having such a wonderful enriching experience in nature. It is a life changing experience I am sure.
October 14th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
as usual, your posts are fun and informative to read Alicia! I love the way you describe what you are seeing, inc luding colors, smells, the cold! I can almost see it myself and am jealous of your most wonderful experiences, but, am happy for you too! I read your other post first, so know that you did get to see your northern lights!
you also share with us what you are lear ning in your classes about enrichments, natural and artificial. it is very interesting. the zoo keepers are always experimenting with enrichment items for the bears and other animals too. what surprises me are certain scents that animals like,like cinnimon, lavender, vanilla, etc.
you also have a good writing style Alicia, you could always take up writing too!
March 26th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Alicia, this is a really amazing experience. I am hoping to become the next Arctic Ambassador and fulfill my life-long dream of changing the world one person at a time. You have inspired many who have changed their ways for the better. My school is dedicated to making this world a greener, safer place for every vertebrate and invertebrate. I just wanted to say that the experience you had was amazing. If there is one thing that the generation called millennium, meaning us, needs to accomplish is to make this world the best it can be for our future children and the generations to come..