Comments on: Love Lost at Polars?

By: Aly

Aly — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:25:58 +0000

I realy hope that there will be a baby poler bear!!! Pleas keep us updated on whats happening!!

By: Debi in MA

Debi in MA — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:03:21 +0000

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!

By: Deb

Deb — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:56:48 +0000

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.

By: Debi in MA

Debi in MA — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:13:40 +0000

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!

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:11:10 +0000

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.

By: Debi in MA

Debi in MA — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:35:19 +0000

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!!

By: barbara

barbara — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:39:23 +0000

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.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:40:20 +0000

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.

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:38:00 +0000

have you tried playing berry white for them? perhaps some snow might inspire them or an especially alluring eau de polar bear scent.