Polar Bears: Waiting Game
Posted at 11:44 am November 11, 2009 by Megan OwenThe San Diego Zoo’s polar bear Chinook is keeping us all on the edge of our seats. As we move deeper into November, we are yet to see any definitive behavioral or physiological changes that would tell us that Chinook is pregnant…or that she’s not pregnant! With each passing day, we continue to document what she’s doing and how she’s doing it. Chinook’s den is ready, and we are listening to her and providing her with whatever she needs.
As the weather gets cooler, we expect that she may be more inclined to go into denning mode. Isolating herself in the den is one of the strongest behavioral cues we’d expect to see, letting us know that birth is imminent. Unfortunately, this might happen one month or one day before she gives birth. Our advice to the San Diego Zoo’s extended family of polar bear lovers: stay tuned! We will keep you up to date on any changes we see.
Megan Owen is a conservation program specialist at the San Diego Zoo.
Watch video of an ultrasound procedure being done on Chinook.
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November 11th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I hope she’s pregnant!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Don’t we all, Dante. I’ve watched the video several times. It amazes me. I want to be the one there looking Chinook in the eyes. Also I’m always much amused by the wand glued together with duct tape!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
It would be very exciting to have a baby Polar Bear at the Zoo! Lets keep our fingers crossed!!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
It would be wonderful if Chinook is expecting. If not, breeding season is not far away!!!! I have a feeling both would be willing couples again! In the meantime PLEASE wipe the spider webs off the cam. It is getting rather hard to appreciate the view with all that stuff across it.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I’m sending good vibes to Chinook and still have my fingers crossed! They are now stuck in that position.
Is that Kalluk playing with his bone? He keeps looking round for someone to play with and has put the bone on the side and disappeared under the water, hoping it will jump off the edge so that he can attack it!
November 11th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I’m hoping for a polar bear cub too. I hope that the funds can be raised for a den camera. Thanks for the update!
Moderator’s note: We do have a den camera installed. All we need are some cubs for that den!
November 11th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Thank you much for the update again. Always welcome as many updates as possible on our beloved trio.
Thank you Megan !
November 11th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
P.S. Megan, any chance we could get a sneaky peek of the den, before hand, so we could get a first hand view before she dens up ? Pretty please ? We’ll settle for a picture !! =)
November 11th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Has Kalluk ever had his bearhood tested in the lab? Do his little guys have good motility, etc.?
November 11th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Hey Deb, do you want to volunteer to be the one who collects the sample?
November 11th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
I thought that there was an ultrasound done to check for her being pregnant? Am I confusing her with another momma bear? We all are hoping she is pregnant, as I’m sure you are too! Thanks for sharing all the comments with us!
Moderator’s note: The vets have been doing weekly ultrasounds on Chinook but have not found evidence of a pregnancy yet. Of course, no one has ever done this on a polar bear before and, as keeper JoAnne says in the video of the procedure, they are attempting to find something the size of a peanut in a 600-pound animal!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I was at the Zoo on Nov 3. A Guide I heard talking to a couple, said Chinook WAS pregnant. If the untrasound you are still looking for a peanut size, can you tell us without looking for the info for days, how long would that be then for a cub….I see the polars seem so big and clumsy, not near as adjile (sp) as the Panda for example. Has anyone seen a mom and cub polar action ????Wow I can hardly wait to see the difference.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Chinook did so good for her ultrasound. It is so cute how she lays down on command. What are those long things the lady is feeding her? Didnt look to yummy to me. Thanks for all the help and care the Polar teams provides….I am trying to get back out there but the weather is starting to get nice here in Phoenix.
Moderator’s note: She had skinny rolls of ground meat and some small type of fish.
November 11th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
that would be too cool to have a baby polar bear cub to watch
November 12th, 2009 at 4:39 am
Oh, some photos of the new area, as well as the den, before Chinook goes in, would be wonderful! What would Chinook use in her den? Bai used bamboo in hers. Do polar bears use anything or is there already something soft in there, like mulch or dirt? Hehehe…Imagine what Chinook would look like after a few months in a den like that. She will come out looking very brown, and her cub(s) too! Is there a pool in there, too, or smaller shallower pools for her teaching little ones how to swim? How does all this work?
Moderator’s note: There is a shallow pool in the new management yard for the bears that the cubs would use when ready for their first swimming lesson.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Poor Chinook. Don’t they know a watched pot never boils.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Deb #9 – you made me laugh!!
Good to hear the camera is ready to go.
Make sure there’s lots of $5.00 choices on the Wish List and us bearaholics (which includes the Pandas) will keep picking away at that total!!
November 12th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I sure hope Chinook is pregnant.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Someone’s having fun clambering over a big log(?), got some great pictures.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Cubs learning to swim! I think my heart just skipped a beat in merriment. I will never get anything done with all this wonderful cam watching!
November 12th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Hi,
I have been enjoying the Polar Bears lately. I guess the weather is cooler and they seem to be more active . Today, two of the bears were playing in the water with some object. It seems so amazing that two big bears could be so entertaining and gentil with each other.
Thanks for the food work,
Shirley
P.S. Hope to see a new cub
November 12th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Being only a “watcher”, and not a hands-on Keeper, I cannot even imagine the anxiety you guys are experiencing. We all really want a cub to watch grow and wish upon. The Keepers will actually be a part of the process. How lucky can you get? Well, I guess hard work plays more of a part than does luck. All I can say, with fingers crossed is, “I DO believe, I DO believe….”
Chinook, honey, it’s okay if you want to wait for cooler weather. (I personally liked having my babies in cool weather too.) But it’s getting painful out here in cyber-space, sitting on all these pins and needles.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Moderator — would the cubs really be the size of a peanut? Wow — I had no idea they would be that small in a 600 lb animal. No wonder it/they would be hard to pick-up on an ultrasound!
Thank you for the update on Chinook — I was just wondering about her when I realized today that we are already in Nov. It seemed so far off — and now it’s here. I’m not a very patient person by nature — but I’m getting better. This is really testing me — I just hope for the best that Chinook has some cubs and that they are healthy and we get to see them one day on exhibit.
Moderator’s note: At this point they would still be pretty tiny, if they are there at all. I have my fingers crossed, too (when I’m not typing!).
November 12th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
What an awesome view visitors and cam watchers had at 3 PM today of two bears (Tatqiq and Kalluk?) close to the viewing window. Is that the new area? It looked like a different view than I have seen before. One is sleeping on their side, and the other is enyoing watching, sniffing, and almost communicating with the visitors. Small youngsters seem to be fascinated by the big bears and almost come nose to nose at the window. Awesome view, especially after reading Ron’s and the Polar Ambassador’s encounters with the curious bears at the Tundra Buggy windows. Thanks for the great video work everyone!!!
Moderator’s note: Yes, that’s the new “moveable experience wall” that allows guests and bears to interact in a new way!
November 12th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Wow! This is the first time I have seen the new “polar experience” at the plunge. Is that a cage-like window where the bears can see, smell and hear the people and vice-versa? Is there something more than cage that protects each from each other? I love bears, but wow! The bears seem completely calm about it. One is watching everybody intently and the other is sleeping! lol
Moderator’s note: Yes, there is a railing that keeps guests back from the wire mesh when the window panel is opened by the attending keeper.
November 12th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I LOVE BEARS!!!!! Expeacialy Polar bears!!!! I like the panda cubs ….. BUT I REEEAAALLYY HOPE THAT THERE ARE POLAR CUBS ON THE WAY!!!!!!! I know that sometimes it’s hard to see any sign with ultrasond because of pandas being born so small. But right now from a 1-5 scale where do you think our chances are of finding 1 or 2 sweet little white cubbies is???
November 13th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Another very, very, very dirty bear! But they almost seem annoyed with it on their face and trying to rub it off. I am curious. I have never actually seen the bears roll in the dirt, other than Chinook. Are Kalluk and Tatqiq rolling in it on purpose and enjoying it or just picking it up from being on the dirt beds? Do polar bears roll in dirt in the wild during the summer months?
Earlier someone was having fun rubbing carrots on their face. Yummy!!!
November 13th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I am amazed at how they train the bear to lay down on either side, WOW
keeping fingers and toes crossed for cubs
November 13th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
The crows sure are enjoying the bears’ treats by the plunge. One of the bears walked by and ignored the birds. Amazing how they get used to each other.
November 13th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Was just on the polar bear cam, and saw a polar bear on some brown dirt/mulch and was very dirty on the back, sides, and legs! This bear was just loving that space sll sprawled out, then started yawning. the got up, straightened out another spot on that dirt space, and layed right back down for another nap time! I hope that when the polar bears get that dirty, they can get very clean when they are in that big pool to swim in!
I am also waiting for any word about Chinook and whether she’s pregnant or not! Glad that you all finally wrote an article about her to update us about her progress. Hopefully, the weekly ultrasounds will show us something very soon!And, hopefully, with the cooler weather coming in, Chinook will start to show her maternal/nesting instincts soon! Please, keep us updated about Chinook, ok? And do all of us a huge favor, ok? If and when Chinook’s ultrasound does show a baby polar bear or two, will you PLEASE get that ultrasound posted on the website’s polar bear page?? We will ALL appreciate that for sure!
Gonna go for now. Will check back here later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
November 14th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Wow , that is amazing!!! To watch a polar bear get an ultrasound is wild (no pun intended), and to train the bear……double WOW…… She looks so comfortable with all those people around her and when she flopped down, I almost cried……………..what a magnificent bear……….. I so hope she will be a mother. Last year when we went to the SDZ, we watched them for what seemed like hours….we were mesmerized by them…..
All I can say is WOW….I’m amazed and impressed with you all…..Kudos to you…………and of course to Chinook…..
November 14th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
I loved the flopping too … like she was hanging with her girlfriends.
November 14th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
I would love to have some polar bear cubbies to watch along side the panda cubbie! I cant wait to come to the SDZ with my kids they love watching the cams.. (will be a little bit still though, dont feel comfortable flying cross country with a 1 & 3 year old)
November 15th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Chinook, I’m ready to waiting for your baby.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:31 am
The waters were very choppy this morning as Kalluk and Tatqiq were playing with their toy balls in the plunge and chasing each other around! I have missed a lot of playtime lately so this was a nice treat!
November 16th, 2009 at 7:34 am
dare i say it? yes. i dare. a polar bear cub may not be as cute as a panda cub but i think way prettier! a lovely rhinestone necklace of some sort on that pure white fur. ahhhhhhhh! heavenly.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Brrrr… it’s been really COLD at night here… I would say perfect weather to den up and have a cub or two — come on Chinook — what do you think?
November 16th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
It’s 6:30 p.m. PST and there are two bears on the cam. Are they bro and sis????? It’s hard to tell. They are so cute.
They remind me of my dogs how they are laying, legs in the air, covering faces, etc., LOL.
GN sweet bears………………
November 17th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Thank you for latest extra camera coverage. Wonderful to watch the Polars! Have enjoyed visiting them at your wonderful Zoo!
November 17th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Some wonderful cam action going on as two bears are wandering around the plunge, checking things out. Kalluk seems to be checking all the doors, asking for Chinook, and Tatqiq looks like she is trying to find something to get into! The best thing is looking at Kalluk’s dirt marks. On his right back hip is a very dirty spot, which looks like the chest, head and open growling mouth of a brown bear! Anyone else catch this?
November 17th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Oh they are so cute!!!
November 18th, 2009 at 2:17 am
By any chance am I looking at the birthing den? It’s too cute! It looks like a little cottage w/curtains and all. I doubt that’s what they are but that’s what it looks like. Very funny. Now Chinook, we’re waiting on you honey. But you can wait until after Dec. 6 if you want. It’s gonna be snow day, and we know how much you love to roll around in the dirt. Imagine how much fun it will be to do it in the cold wet snow. It’s been a long time. It’s one of my favorite videos. Shhh, don’t tell too many people. I want to be able to get near the enclosure. I actually opted out of going to Yun Zi’s naming ceremony so I can attend this. I plan on sitting there and watching until the snow melts. I can’t wait!
Keep soliciting donations people, we’ve got to upgrade our polar bear cam so we can send postcards!
Moderator’s note: We do not have a snow day planned for polar bears. However, the Zoo’s elephants will enjoy some snow on December 11, the start of our Jungle Bells holiday season.
November 18th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for her. I hope she has a cub (or two)
November 18th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Hello Pat, They are brother and sister, actually twins.
Hi Megan. I’ve been thinking about your comment “we are listening to her”. When I was in Churchill a week ago I had a couple of rather magical experiences with the bears. I’ve always been in tune with them more than the other tourists and can interpret their behavior in ways others can’t. I feel I can “listen” to them, but it’s hard for me to describe exactly what I mean by that. Can you explain a little more what you are responding to when you say “listen” to her?
November 18th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Cubs? Denning? Anything…? Arghhh… please!
November 19th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Moderator, when you go to the page “What can I do (or, you do) to help?”, then click “To Visit the Polar Bear Plunge”, right under where the video runs it does say, “Upcoming Events: Snow Day Dec. 6. Tell me it’s true! I’ve been telling my everybody! My kids, my friends, my vet. It’s not like my kids a little, they’re 17 & 23 but they’ll be disappointed all the same. We’ve been sooo excited for this. You HAVE to make it happen. PLEASE?!?!?!?
Elephants & snow on 12/11 is good, however, it’s a school day after Thanksgiving break, and my son just missed 4 days of school w/the flu. The Polar Bears need Ice, too. : ( Please find some.
Moderator’s note: After a lot of searching, I found the page you saw. It is an “old” page description of Polar Bear Plunge, with last year’s snow date on it. I’ve corrected the link to go to the new Polar Bear Plunge page. But I wish I could get the snow for you! I’m so sorry for the confusion.