Mr. Ice Man
Posted at 1:57 pm October 16, 2009 by Maureen O. Duryee
Kenai and his ice pile
Kenai will guide his trainer to a cement driveway to wait patiently for a warehouse worker to bucket and hand deliver his personal pile of ice. These employees, while very busy with their own tasks, always take the time and often race one another just to supply Kenai with his ice pile. Kenai always looks the generous employee in the eye to convey his gratitude, then gleefully plunges into the cubes. Bystanders can’t help but smile watching this Arctic wolf frolic in the cold wetness. Kenai often eats it, too.
This warehouse is a busy place: semi trucks off-load supplies, construction and maintenance workers pass in and off Zoo grounds here, and daily supplies are loaded onto trucks that are delivered throughout the Zoo daily. None of this traffic disturbs the pleasure Kenai takes in his contact with his ice pile. One would think the sound of a back-up beeper on a semi truck might set off an instinctual alarm in this exotic animal. Either there isn’t one in place or he is ignoring the information, because his enjoyment is overriding it. Nonetheless, Kenai has made this stop a part of his daily routine.
If you don’t get a chance to see him at the warehouse, buy a ticket to Backstage Pass, where you’ll meet him while you eat and enjoy your ice right along with Kenai!
Maureen O. Duryee is a senior animal handler at the San Diego Zoo. Read a previous post, Kenai on Vacation.
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October 16th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
his such a cutie…was he born at SDZ? oh I just read “kenai on vacation” so he has brother too…his spoiled I must say but worth spoiling for ..
October 16th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
One of my favorite things to do at the Zoo was to go to the “Wild Ones” show and see and hear Kenai howl. Also, I enjoyed seeing Karo (sp?), the cheetah. Sadly, those wonderful experiences have been taken away as I can’t afford the $100 to attend the Backstage Pass program.
Moderator’s note: The sea lion show in Wegeforth Bowl features Kenai’s brother, Keeli.
October 16th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Kenai and his brother Keeli are really beautiful wolves! I was just reading the older post about the brothers, and I can’t help but think how much they look like some of the domesticated dogs! (Yes, I do realize that they are related species…)
Anyhow, I love to see the photo of Kenai on a pile of ice. I suppose the Arctic wolf really stay true to their character!
October 16th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Very cool. Thank you Maureen. I hope to make it there soon to experience the backstage pass. Although I love all animals, wolfs are indeed another one of my favorites.
October 17th, 2009 at 12:22 am
I am fascinated by Kenai’s beautiful long, very slim legs and paws. Obviously designed for life in the snow but beautiful nonetheless. Very intelligent too!
October 17th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
He is a beautiful animal. And such a “cool” personality
I like how all of the Arctic creatures have that white fur theme going on.
October 17th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
While at Zoo Camp, I met his brother Keeli backstage at the bowl. I must say that this is one of the most gorgeous animals I’ve ever seen! We even got to howl with him! They are just so amazing, with their long legs and snowshoe-like paws. Bear, a cheetah buddy dog, and I believe Montana the New Guinea Singing Dog wanted to join in our wolf and camper howl! It is nice to see this fun side to the Arctic wolf. They are truly amazing.
October 25th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I’m ashamed to say that I know little of this wolf species. My heart is entrenched in the fight to save the Northern Gray Wolf, an endangered group who are being allowed to die at the hands of hunters in Idaho and Montana. The entire Yellowstone pack was killed recently, leaving the pups to die of starvation. But I stray…….sorry.
The Arctic wolf….is it also endangered? I should probably get online and read up on their lives. Not only are they very beautiful, but are obviously very loving and intelligent. I look forward to seeing Kenai, Keeli and all the wolves of SDZ in December or January.
Now, in order to see the wolves, polar bears, giant pandas, elephants, great cats…oh my!…I’m going to need a week!
October 28th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Dear Diane,
Thanks for your involvement with the North American gray wolf. It is a shame that wolves in general have been persecuted over the centuries. It is our mission to educate the public and hopefully change any misperceptions they might have for this beautiful, sensitive species.
The Arctic wolf is not an endangered species. They live in a vast area in the Arctic where the temperatures can reach 70 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit and most people choose not to inhabit such a hostile environment.
When you come to visit, you should plan on a whole day at the San Diego Zoo and a whole day at our sister facility, the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them both tremendously and, quite honestly, you will need the time to see them as well.
Sincerely,
Maureen O Duryee