Brother and Sister Bear
Posted at 5:55 pm December 17, 2008 by Kelly Murphy
Well, it’s going on two months since I’ve returned to work from maternity leave. I can’t believe how fast time goes by. Thanks to everyone who sent their warm wishes and kind words. As much as I love being a mom, this was it for me. I now have one of each: a boy and a girl. I sometimes wonder what their relationship will be like, and I refer to another brother and sister pair I know, Kalluk and Tatqiq at the San Diego Zoo’s Polar Bear Plunge.
Speaking of time flying, they are coming up on their eighth birthday. It seems like only yesterday that these two cubs (12 and 16 pounds) came into our lives. I remember how dependent they were on each other. They were not comfortable being separated for any length of time, so we allowed them to stay together to help them cope with new experiences.
This made feeding time a challenging experience. They were weighed daily and fed a certain percentage of their body weight in formula. Even though they relied on each other for comfort, they still could get competitive over their food. We had quite the system down that allowed us to feed them together and had them finishing at the same time so there were no spats.
When it came time to investigate new experiences, Tatqiq always seemed to lead the way, with Kalluk following behind. Once Tatqiq gave her stamp of approval, then Kalluk was more apt to join in. If there was ever something they were unsure of, they stuck close together as if they were glued side by side. This carried over into bedtime, and they would sleep together, sometimes using each other for pillows.
Over the years they have grown up and asserted more independence. Even formed different relationships when Chinook was introduced. It’s not uncommon to see them off doing their own thing. But even after eight years, the sibling bond is still strong. They still enjoy playing together; many a morning I’ve come in to find them wrestling or taking a swim in the pool. Or sometimes I find them curled up in the same pile of mulch. They continue to rely on each other for support whenever either one is unsure of a situation. It’s nice to know you can always count on family when you need them.
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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December 18th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
It’s nice to see a brother and sister that get on so well. Of the people I know who have brothers or sisters, so many of them don’t get on at all. I suppose being together makes Kalluk and Tatqiq feel much more secure. And it means more fun for us to watch! Kelly, as your two children grow up it will be interesting for you to see if they get on well. I know that when I was there in July, Kalluk and Tatqiq were always together, with Chinook joining in quite often.
Are they getting any interesting enrichment items for Christmas?
December 18th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Thanks Kelly for a heartwarming story of the sibling bond in Tatqiq and Kalluk. It is amazing that such a bond would still exist after all these years in wild animal species known for sexes separating at maturity.
It will be interesting to see again how their relationship changes if/when Chinook’s breeding phase comes in the winter months. As I recall the bears had to be separated in January/February during breeding season 2008, and were just reunited in June(?) when it was determined breeding season was finished for this year. Although we love to see the two, and three, of them enjoying their time together, we also long for little white paws from a union of Chinook and Kalluk. It would be very interesting to see how the dynamics would change with addition of one or two offspring.
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Yesterday, 12/21/08, Kalluk was acting amorous towards one of the females, could not tell which one. That is the first time I’ve seen him act that way.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Rita, Kalluk must have been cozying up to Chinook — since it’s getting close to breeding season. They had a little flirtation going earlier this year — and we were all hoping that we would be hearing the pitter patter of little polar bear feet — but sadly that didn’t happen. Maybe this time around — fingers and paws crossed. Wouldn’t it be great!
December 24th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Merry Christmas to Chinook, Kalluk and Tatqiq and all staff and animals at the SDZ.
December 24th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I just adore the polar bears and want to wish a very Merry Christmas to Kalluk, Tatqiq and Chinook, and to all the polar bear keepers and, last but not least, the awesome meerkats who do such a terrific job of keeping the SDZ cams one of the very best things on the whole internet!
December 24th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Oooh! Bones for Christmas! How exciting! The bears are taking them and chewing and rubbing them all over their faces! They know a treat when they see/smell/taste it! Merry Christmas to Chinook, Kalluk and Tatqiq and everyone at SDZ!!
December 31st, 2008 at 12:22 am
Happy New Year to the Polar Bears and all who look after them.
December 31st, 2008 at 9:11 am
what is wrong with the polar cam? it has been ages since I’ve been able to get a decent view of the polar plunge area and bears. all I get is a glare off the water and blure. is it just me or are others experiencing the same thing? the rest of the camera cams at the zoo are fine! I miss seeing them!!
Moderator’s note: There is certainly a glare from the sun this time of year. But we can also see a bear perched on the ledge.
December 31st, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Happy New Year to my “other” favorite bears — Kalluk, Tatqiq and Chinook — and to their keepers and the meerkats and all the great folks at SDZ! Thanks for providing some of the best moments of 2008!!
January 14th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
It has been a while since I visited the “Video” section of the SDZ Zoo web site. I just saw the video of the snow day, and it was awesome!!! The bears had a field day playing in the snow, and I am sure that their fun play delighted the visitors to no end! I wish I was there to witness the fun!
January 21st, 2009 at 9:57 am
Any signs of breeding season starting? As I recall last year you had to separate Chinook and Tatqiq in mid-late winter as the hormone situation seemed to interfere with their otherwise friendly relationship. Hopefully things will progress more this year and potentially a cub or cubs will result. It will give an even greater opportunity to do research on multiple generations of polar bears and relationships with non-related bears.
January 25th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
What was happening Jan. 25 mid day? There was a flurry of camera angles and focusing on one of the bears. It was lying so still, for so long. Later it was covered with branches and palm fronds till only it’s nose and eyes were visible.
Hopefully it was nothing serious.
Connie
Moderator’s note: Our polar bear keepers say everything is fine. That was Chinook you saw, covered with items brought to her by Kalluk!
January 26th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Kalluk is so sweet — he must have thought his sweetie Chinook would appreciate some gifts. A little early for Valentines day — but thoughtful none the less. What a cute couple!
January 26th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
January 26th, around 4:30-5:00 p.m., it looks like Chinook and Kalluk resting together. How sweet. Thanks for letting us see.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Hmmm….covering your loved one with gifts, perhaps? I like this idea! Perhaps cubs are in store, this year! Maybe Kalluk has been thinking of better ways to woo her, in the past 7-9 months! I just finished watching the National Geographic film, “Arctic Tale”. Wonderfully done and very informative.
Presently someone is enjoying a swim in the plunge!
January 28th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Ah! I see the loving and snuggling going on in the shade on that piece of burlap! Looks like love to me!
January 28th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
You must be putting a scent that the bears like in that cave to get them to roll around like that. . .right?
January 29th, 2009 at 10:31 am
There seems to be a courtship starting with Kalluk and Chinook, maybe this year we will see a cub or two. Wouldn’t that be great? Now we need to find someone for Taqiq. Has there been any news on Knut and where he might be going? I think San Diego would be perfect for him.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Hey Kelly — Any updates on our lovebirds? Do you think this might be the year that true love happens — and we might see some cubs in the spring? I think we are all hoping we do? Any insight from your perspective would be great. In the meantime, we’ll just keep hoping to sneak a peak at their courtship and see how it unfolds. They are such sweet, sweet, bears — I totally in love with them!
Moderator’s note: We’re hoping one of our polar bear keepers will have time to give us all an update.
January 31st, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Just peeking before it gets dark and someone is moving the camera! Looks like Chinook and Kalluk are snuggled next to each other in that cubby, again, sound asleep! It is really good to see them hitting it off like this so quickly in the breeding season. Let’s hope for some white fluffy results!!! I have a question about who can be with whom, once babies are born and out on the exhibit. I am assuming Kalluk cannot be with them, as he would harm them as instinct kicks in? But what about Tatqiq? At some point can she be out with them or will it basically be Chinook with her cubs part of the time, and Tatqiq and Kalluk the other half? Especially since cubs are with their moms for 2-3 years… I know I am ahead of the game, here, but I have a good feeling about this year, even for the Polar Bears in the wild. I live in New England and it has been one snowstorm and arctic blast after another. I have high hopes that this means things might be going a bit easier on the bears up north with longer ice cover and better hunting, breeding and nesting situations.
February 1st, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Hi! I was wondering the same thing about polar bear breeding season coming up. Since Kalluk and Chinook were not too successful in that department last year, I’m also hoping that they will be successful this year. Hope that they will mate naturally, but if they don’t, are there any plans for artificial insemination? I know that’s not the natural way of doing things during breeding season, but that could be an option for you to take; something to think about. I watched the polar bear cam today and saw who I thought was Chinook (the bigger bear) playing with either Kalluk or Tatquiq (the smaller bear) near the rock walls. They were having a good old time wrestling with each other! That’s the first time in a long while that I’ve been able to catch at least one of the bears on the cam! They can get very elusive sometimes! Are you still having all 3 bears together on exhibit? Let us know about all of this, ok? Love to know the latest with these 3 polar bears!
Thanks,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
February 2nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
It has been looking like they are leaving Kalluk and Chinook together in the exhibit area at night. Tatqiq was let into the exhibit mid-day yesterday. Kalluk was at the door to greet her and they both looked so happy to see each other.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Thanks for The Polar Bear blogs! I enjoy watching Kalluk, Tatqiq and Chinook everyday. When I saw them in person they were such a joy! Those bears are hilarious! You guys must have a wonderful job taking care of them. What laughs they must bring to you everyday.