Love Lost at Polars?
Posted at 3:56 pm April 7, 2008 by Kelly MurphySo things here at Polar Bear Plunge at the San Diego Zoo still seem to be at a stand still. We are continuing our management the same by rotating the different pairs of bears, but have not seen any further progression between Chinook and Kalluk. I’m not sure that we’ll hear the pitter patter of little paws after all.
Most of the time, the mornings start off with Kalluk and Chinook on exhibit. (We have researchers who have been doing daily observations to help us monitor the season.) Sometimes the bears start off right away with play while other times they simply acknowledge each other, forage some, and then settle down in different places for their morning naps. Usually before noon, we do our first switch to allow Kalluk and Tatqiq time together on exhibit. Our final switch of bears usually comes around 1:30 p.m., where the kids get to go back out together or Chinook gets the exhibit by herself.
Tatqiq seems to be getting a little tired of her time in the bedrooms, so she’s been a bit more playful now. She and her brother have had several good play sessions over the past few weeks. She’s also been a little slower coming off exhibit, too. This is an example of her behavior telling us what her needs are and it’s up to us to meet them. But she’s not the only one. Chinook has been a little slower to go onto exhibit. Chinook and Tatqiq have also had some interesting interactions in the back area through the doors. We may need to reevaluate everything soon and determine what direction to take from here.
This doesn’t mean that we’re giving up. There’s always the chance that Chinook might just come into a later estrous. We have experienced hormonal changes in these bears as late as June and into July. But for now, Kalluk and Chinook are just remaining good friends.
In the meantime, we continue to get things ready for Bear Awareness Days (May 8 to 11). We’ll kick it off with a fun enrichment activity on May 8, there will be keeper and researcher talks daily, and the weather is predicting snow on Saturday. We’ve also added a behind-the-scenes opportunity to our list of auction items. This will give someone the chance to have a special encounter with our polar bears and speak with a keeper about the daily management of the animals as well as some of the research that we’re participating in. You might even get to meet one of the polar bears up close. For more information, keep checking the Web site for the most recent updates. And I hope to see you all at the Bear Awareness Event!
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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April 7th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
have you tried playing berry white for them? perhaps some snow might inspire them or an especially alluring eau de polar bear scent.
April 8th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Kelly, thanks for the update, we keep watching and waiting. Will you potentially use AI on Tatqiq from a male from another zoo? Or is the status of the polar bear not yet at a state to warrant such measures? Obviously, she and Kalluk can not breed, so we are curious about Tatqiq’s breeding possibilities.
Does research on Polar Bears show any correlation to their familiarity and breeding prospects similar to that done in Pandas? NZP separated Tian and Mei before, during, and after breeding this year, based it appears on advice and experience from SDZ with Gao and Bai, and other research from Wolong and elsewhere. It seems to have made a difference, as Mei was more receptive of Tian this year, and he seemed to be more focused on the reason for them to be together. I read that M and F bears being together other than for breeding can impact stress hormone levels and hence breeding. Is this true for Polar Bears? Are the sexes isolated other than during breeding season? Obviously there is a social need for them in captivity as they would have some companionship in the wild. Chinook is so much more active, and happier in the company of Kalluk, and when appropriate Tatqiq, than she was by herself after Shikari’s death last March.
April 8th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Maybe after bear awarenees and some snow it will stir the emotions and get them in the mood. If I understand correctly they have never mated before, maybe you should show them a movie like they do with pandas. This morning on CNN they had a live video of the polar bear cub Flocke from Germany making her public debut. What a beautiful little girl bear, she really enjoyed her first time out with all the people and photogs watching, but be assured she always made sure she knew where her keepers were and ran to them often for reassurance.Would you ever do an AI.
April 8th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I find this whole thing fascinating. Polar Bear love. To be or not to be. Honestly, from the cam point of view I saw a lot of interaction earlier in the winter and then it seemed to suddenly halt. Kalluk seemed to have a very keen interest in Chinook, and she seemed to play and flirt sometimes, but other times simply seemed disinterested. Kalluk seemed more willing, but gentle. If she said no, he simply dove back into the water, after a few wistful looks at her, and played dive and catch toys! Today I thought there was something going on, but again, not sure what female was out with him. I think it was Chinook as it was earlier in the day. One was rolling about on the stone and another was nuzzling her face, but then she got up, walked away and he followed, off the camera. He shortly came back and dived into the pool and started playing again. Are Tatqiq and Chinook getting along better or worse behind the scenes? Poor Kalluk. He must be confused as to how to behave! I can see Tatqiq wanting out in the morning. Very interesting that Chinook wants to stay in. Is she getting stressed that Kalluk is interested in mating? I feel for all of you, including the bears. Maybe Tatqiq needs to play referee, or would a bear fight break out at this point? That would not be good. I have a feeling Tatqiq is jealous of her brother’s attentions going elsewhere and Chinook is apprehensive about mating. Maybe this year simply isn’t THE year. Maybe being brought up in a zoo has mixed up some instincts a bit and it will take some time. At any rate, I love them all and hope for the best, and a very happy time on Snow Day! This cam watcher will be paying attention!!
April 9th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
i just finished looking at photos of flocke the germany polar bear cub and she is just adorable….i hope those two get down to business because polar bear babies are soooo cute.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
4:10pm Polar Bear Cam Time! I am having a lovely time watching a male and female (Kalluk and Tatqiq?) having a good romp at the plunge! Ball tossing, log moving, swimming, backfloats, chasing, diving and even some on ground wrestling (the female’s idea!!) has made for some fun playtime and a very splashing wet place! It is nice to see such joy and activity!
April 24th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I laughed so hard yesterday when one of the bears casually walked up to the other, stuck out its paw, then pushed the sleeping bear into the water. I don’t know for sure, but something tells me it was the male doing the pushing.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:03 am
6am Polar Bear Cam Time! We have had some fun games, early this morning! Dive on your fellow bear, wrestle in the water, chase, share the red ball, watch me backfloat, who can put their leg up highest in the air, and catch me if you can! Lots of splash, waves and giggling bears! A nice start to their day, as well as mine!
May 11th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I realy hope that there will be a baby poler bear!!! Pleas keep us updated on whats happening!!