Love is all around the Plunge
Posted at 10:21 am January 23, 2008 by Kelly Murphy
Kalluk
All through Polar Bear Plunge, the smell of hormones is in the air. Well, I can’t smell them but Kalluk certainly can. We have officially reached the start of breeding season for our polar bears. As we approached the end of the year, Tatqiq was given a clean bill of health and seemed her usual self again (see Kelly’s blog, Patchwork Polar Bear). All three bears shared their first snow day together on December 1. In general, things seemed content and “normal.” Then, barely into the first week of January, things changed.
It was a subtle start, with Kalluk slowing down on his food consumption and preferring to eat next to Chinook. Kalluk and his sister, Tatqiq, are still getting along but not sharing as many play encounters. Chinook and Tatqiq stopped playing like they used to. And finally, as of last week, Tatqiq expressed little to no desire to interact with Chinook at all. This is only the beginning of what is to come. We don’t anticipate being in peak breeding season until at least another month or so!
For now, we are minimizing the time that Tatqiq and Chinook are together but still encouraging the relationship between Kalluk and Chinook as well as his time with his sister. This has become a bit of a challenge: we need to accommodate all of the bears’ needs for well-being and not foster separation or angst of any individual. Observation, of course, is critical.
In the meantime, staff continues to meet, draw up plans, and move forward with the hopes that Chinook will actually be successful this year with a pregnancy. There is always the chance that, as this is a new pair and the first attempt for both, we may not see offspring from her. But we have our fingers crossed. Kalluk continues to attempt his wooing of Chinook and she continues to respond favorably. It’s actually quite cute to watch the interactions between the two. Kind of reminds me of a new couple dating.
Every day brings new changes and challenges. It’s safe to say there won’t be any “normal” days ahead. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on events, but that in itself may be a challenge with how quick things can change!
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo. Read her previous blog, A Polar Bear Keeper’s Day.
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January 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 am
What a funny pic! Is he sitting on something?
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:36 am
ah,love is in the air and we know what hormones can do, but what a sight it must be and i’m sure there will be a few interesting moments. It would be great to hear the pitter patter of little feet and the celebration of life after losing some of our most dear friends we start a new cycle of life. Isn,t love grand. keeping my fingers crossed.
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:49 am
It would be lovely to hear the patter of tiny polar bear feet.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Well, well… who knew? This is all very exciting - it would be incredible if we had some baby polar bears to ooh and aah over. Maybe a little Valentine’s Day treat is in order for the new love birds. Very sweet - thanks for the update - and please, please keep us posted on how their romance is progressing.
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I don’t understand. I thought polar bears went into hibernation and gave birth at that time, like black and brown bears do???? How will the SDZ accomplish this?
Also, what keeps Kalluk from being interested in his litter mate, Tatqiq? (and her, in him?)
Thanks,
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
i am just so excited that the “love” is in the air. i too am curious as to how do the sibs know that they are in fact sibs? kalluck is pretty damn cute sitting in the plunge. it would be so nice to have a bundle of snow joy in sd. snow flake in germany is awfully cute with that big round belly. thank you for the info. i look forward to new news.
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Since Tatqiq is on birth control, is that why Kalluk is not “interested” in her, and she doesn’t wan to have much to do with Chinook? Interesting that Tatqiq doesn’t interact with Chinook and not the other way aroudn. I would think that Chinook’s hormones would want Tatqiq out of her “territory.”
The loss of Shikari has brought about some unforseen new developments it seems.
Are there any plans to breed Tatqiq with a male from another institution, or to send her somewhere else to facilitate her having a new life with another male? Since her days, at least during breeding season, are numbered with her brother, and that is the only companionship she has ever known, it seems to me that this new development would be phychologically difficult for her. But, I recall reading that polar bears are normally solitary in the wild except for breeding season, so she may not notice.
Marie, #5, asked a very good question. How does hibernation, or lack of it in a warm climate like SD, affect the pregnancy and birth of polar bears?
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Ah, as I thought! The possibilities of babies! I am sure this is a challenge, switching bears around and watching their behavior. I have to admit I have felt for Tatqiq because I think she is jealous that someone is stealing the attentions of her brother. So I worry about her. I have also notice at least one bear (out there now, on Wednesday, 2:17pm Polar Bear Cam time) that is pacing a lot. Back and forth, over and over again, with a lot of repetitive movements. What is this about? I have noticed in in the past month when watching the cam. As someone who has worked with horses we always consider this a warning sign of sickeness or moreso, boredom or frustration, but I know nothing of the natural behaviours of bears, so not sure if this has anything to do with the birds and the bees, or just the changes going on in the plunge because of it. I am so glad Tatqiq is better. After breeding seasons, do things usually calm down between the bears and is it likely that Kalluk will have a newfound interest in playing with his sister, again, as males do not stay with cubs? I really need a book on polar bears! Maybe this weekend!
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Yeeeahhhhhh !!!!! Yes !! Thanx Kelly !! Exciting, more so for you the keepers since you get to see it all happen, but looks like on the last post that Debi was right !! I hope there is success, and although it crossed my mind (as I’d asked in a blog in the past when the 3 bears were introduced to each other), I didnt know if that was somthing SDZ had actually considered. Exciting to say the least !! Please yes do try to keep us posted with updated blogs on the love birds progress !! With SDZ’s success, this would be totally awesome !!!
I know you guys do have your hands full, but I eargerly awaite the next blog !! =)
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Oh my. Over an hour later and he is still pacing. Methinks this is Kalluk wanting Chinook out of the bedrooms! It looks like Tatqiq is out with him, but he is ignoring her. I hope she has a pink ball to play with. Hormones are no fun! I feel for all of you, at the plunge, dealing with this exciting and challenging time!
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:21 pm
Hi! Just read your update about the 3 polar bears. I was wondering why all 3 of them were not together lately, but now I have my answer! I hope that you all have a baby polar bear, too! That will be so important for the survival of these bears because their numbers in the Arctic are becoming stressed due to less ice in the summer and going a little bit longer than normal between hunting for food. Plus, the polar bear moms are also going thru a rough time trying to make sure their baby cubs are fed and trying to find the food necessary to keep the milk coming until the cubs are old enough to eat meat. In Europe, there were 2 baby polar bears born in 2 seperate zoos last year, the youngest being 5 months old now, so that’s a success there. You might get a surprise and see Chinook have twin cubs! Wouldn’t that be awesome? Hoping that Kalluk can do his thing and be a daddy soon! Good luck, you all! Keep us posted as much as possible on their progress!
Thanks,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
January 24th, 2008 at 8:51 am
# 10 - Debi - yes I also noticed one of the bears pacing back in forth in the same manner, and area, for a few days now. Then when I saw two bears I had guessed it was Tatqiq & Kalluk as well. Hmmmm….. you again might be right on your guess, Kalluk may just want his woman !! =)
January 24th, 2008 at 10:08 am
If there would be a baby would you have to do anthing special to the exhibit to accomadate the little bundle of Joy. How long does a polar bear pregancy last and is there a chance for twins. Being this is the start of breeding season for many animals I think one of the next wish lists should be a baby shower theme.
Moderator’s note: Good idea, Barbara! We’ll pass your suggestion along to our Wish List coordinator.
January 24th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Barbara~That is a wonderful idea! Needful and fun things for all the Mom’s and babies of the zoo! From what I see online gestation period is about 8 months and twins is most frequent, and having just one is the next. I think a lot depends on how healthy Mom is and how well she is eating. This is very exciting! But they have to do their “thing” first!
January 25th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Given the size, temperament, and innate ferocity of polar bears, this must be a rather tense time for the keepers. Breeding season in the wild is a time of short tempers and tense encounters, so I can only imagine how carefully you are watching to ensure none of the bears are unduly upset or injured. Good luck!
January 25th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I would love to know who was out in the plunge over night! Between 5am and 6am, Polar Bear Cam time, one of the bears was having a fun time swimming about in the water, with the lights on, and playing with the little balls, tossing them in the air, diving for them, carrying them on the back, holding them close, trying to hide them on the shelf under the rock, etc. Whomever it was definitely was having fun. I am trying so hard to learn to identify them on the cam and often wonder if it is Tatqiq who used her paws a lot, for holding her food, holding the balls, swimming or backfloating. Whomever it is always looks so dainty for such a large animal and it is so endearing!
January 25th, 2008 at 11:33 am
Cozy, cuddly? There are two bears on the end of the ledge, right now, lying down right next to each other, resting in the sun. I have never seen two so close to each other. This has got to be Kalluk and Chinook! So sweet! They must know Valentine’s Day is close!
I would love to hear more about their courtship behaviour. Kisses perhaps? A little muzzling? Offerings of palm fronds or invitations into the pool? 
January 25th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Debi - you have the best luck seeing the bears do what they do best - playing in the water! They do look so graceful when they are in the water - and really seem to enjoy it so much. I appreciate your “Panda Cam Play-by-Plays” alot - since I rarely get to enjoy the action “live”.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
So much fun going on in the plunge today……. like two kids in love…. so I’m guessing we are watching
Kalluck and Chinook today……… =)
January 25th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Cheryl~Thank you! I’m glad my constant polar bear chatter doesn’t drive people up the wall. My poor husband keeps getting interrupted when he works from home. “Oh, come see what they are doing now!!” I think they and I are on a similar schedule. One of them is out there right now, hiding things under the rock shelf, ducking in the water, peeking up to see if anyone is watching, giggling, hiding something back under, then suddenly….a ball pops out! Oops!! Let’s play with it for a moment, but then…tuck it back under!!! Hehehehe….
If I ever get reincarnated, I want to come back as a polar bear! Life looks like so much fun!
January 25th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
How exciting!! A little one/s would be so wonderful. Poor Tatqiq though, talk about third wheel. I am curious about where she would stand if Chinook were to have a cub/s. After the mating season (successful or not) will her relationship with Kalluk return to “normal”?
January 25th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I would only want to come back as a Polar Bear if I could live at the San Diego Zoo - I bet those brightly colored balls are pretty hard to find in the wild ; )
January 26th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Love is definitely in the air at the plunge, today! If that is Chinook with Kalluk, there is a lot of interaction and flirting going on! Kalluk seems rather, um, shall we say “ready” to try breeding, whereas, if that is Chinook, she told him “No, not yet!” And he walked away with a low head looking quite dejected. But they are out there now, and he seems to be trying to coax her nicely into the water. So long as Tatqiq has her little balls, especially pink ones, I am not to worried over the breeding season, now. If that was her in the water the other early morning, she was having the time of her life! She is still my sweet princess!
January 30th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I have a fun question for Kelly! When you put the food out for the bears and then put out more than one bear, how does each bear know where to go and eat without fighting each other for the food, or do they have some code of ethics among themselves as to who gets to pick what first, or finders keepers, or how does that work? Thanks!
I saw two bears chasing each other around the plunge, yesterday. In and out, in and out, diving, giggling, coming back out, running across the stone ledge, diving back in, the other one following. For such large bears they certainly are fast and light on their feet when they want to be and positively playful! I always wonder if such playful behaviour would be also seen in the wild or does the atmosphere of having enrichment toys and not having the stress of hunting down food allow these bears to enjoy life a bit more? Thank you for keeping such good care of them…their happy attitudes seem to reflect their approval!
January 31st, 2008 at 11:31 am
Hmm….all through dinner last night my husband and I tried to guess what enrichment item was going to be offered today at the ceremony. Snow? Ice blocks? A tree or log? New balls? Tuned in before 1pm, and have waited for 1/2 an hour only to see 2 bears briefly walk by and one in the water for a minute, but that is it. Not sure what it is, or where it is, or if it is! Hopefully we will get a report and maybe a picture?? I was so looking forward to this, too.