Painting Polar Bears
Posted at 9:34 am March 19, 2008 by Kelly Murphy
At first glance, you might think this blog is about people who paint pictures of polar bears at the San Diego Zoo. What you will soon discover is that it’s really about us painting our polar bears and then letting them try their hand, or rather paw, at creating a masterpiece of their own. Yes, I’m talking about our polar bear paw prints. All three of our bears have had an opportunity to participate in art class, but I must say that Chinook is our star student.
The process itself is a little time consuming but well worth the entertainment. First the bedrooms at Polar Bear Plunge are prepped the night before. They are thoroughly cleaned and all toys and bedding removed, and then the drinkers are emptied and turned off. This allows for a clean, dry surface to paint on. Next comes the choice of paint. In the past, we typically used only one color, but we have recently expanded our palette to include two or three. Now keep in mind that painting is a messy business, so whatever colors you choose, the bears will be showing them off on exhibit later. Now it’s time to begin!
After applying a nice layer of color (or colors) to the floor of the bedroom, we simply give the bears access to the paint. This is where Kalluk usually has his first problem: he doesn’t seem to like to walk in it. Therefore, it’s usually tough to get a paw print when he manages to step over, around, and, well, pretty much anywhere except in the paint. Chinook and Tatqiq don’t seem to mind it quite as much. Of course, you have to allow for the sniffing, sitting, and sometimes lying down that occurs. Fortunately, it’s non-toxic paint so it’s not harmful to the bears. But then again, it makes for quite a sight for our guests watching them on exhibit.
After they have effectively coated themselves, we then shift them to a bedroom that has the canvases inside. Then it’s really up to the individual bear as to what and how they want to decorate. This is where Tatqiq’s paintings leave something to the imagination: while she covers the canvas beautifully, she has some of the furriest paws that we’ve ever seen. Her paintings would tend to fall into more of the “abstract” category! While we all enjoy Tatqiq’s creations, Chinook really shows her paws off well.
Some of you may recall that we’ve recently started a tradition of celebrating Bear Awareness Days. I’m happy to report that this will be our third year. This year’s event will take place May 8 – 11 and, like last year’s, will feature an auction to be held on our Web site. We will be featuring some of Chinook’s artwork for the auction. I will keep you posted as to the details of the event as well as the auction as it approaches. In the meantime, we continue our journey through breeding season, however slow it may be.
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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March 19th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Oh what a wonderful enrichment activity for the bears! And how funny that even “Princess” Tatqiq isn’t fussy about having her beautiful white fur covered in paint while Kalluk doesn’t want any part of it! Thank you Kelly for sharing this with us.
March 20th, 2008 at 8:16 am
That is amazing! Is that Chinook’s paws? They are beautiful! I am dying to see these up for auction! I would love to own a Polar Bear work of art! Perhaps you can call it “Paws and Claws; Arctic Art”
March 20th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Ahhhh………. so cool!!! Is there any way we can get a video if the artists at work?
March 20th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
How absolutely beautiful. I would love to be there when they do their ‘painting’. The thought of them in their colourful bedrooms is wonderful, and it sounds like they really have fun. I would so like to get a painting but I doubt if I’d do very well in the auction!
March 20th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Wow! What fantasic artwork. These are such talented bear/ What creative enrichment for them. Too bad the guests can’t “see” the painting going on, just the results on the canvas, and the rainbow bears outside.
March 20th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Someone is rolling around in the sand/mulch pit. Must be Chinook??? Sure looks like one very brown, not white polar bear. I remember seeing photos of Knut rolling in mulch and debris and he came out very dark brown, but “beary” happy.
March 21st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Kalluk is desperately trying to “fit” inside the purple pool to take his nap! He can’t quite figure out why parts of him keep sticking out and over the edges!
March 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
It looks like Kalluk is the distrusting one among the three bears. But I am glad that we at least have Chinook’s paw prints. There is something to be said about her conscientiously leaving her prints for us! She is the artist we all want to see!
March 26th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Earlier today (maybe around noon Polar Bear Cam time?) we had a bear very busy digging in the water! He or she was right by the edge, near the log that floats and even pulled in a new log, but was busy “digging” and trying to get through the stone! I have never seen such a busy bear!!! They acted part gerbil!
March 27th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
What a wonderful enrichment activity for these beautiful bears. I enjoyed watching two of the bears jumping in the water today. Climbing out, jumping back in, lots of splashing. Such fun.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:17 am
6:14am Polar Bear Cam time~I was just having fun, settling down with a cup of tea, to watch the morning play and swim. One bear was in the water playing with a ball and some other toy, right by the spotlights and splashing and twirling and balancing on the belly, when they suddenly went to the waters edge and obediently got out of the water and headed for the doors. How do you “call them in” come morning? And do they always obey or do they sometimes look at you and say “Ha…I am not done playing!!! You must wait for me!!” ??
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:44 am
6:41am Polar Bear Cam Time~According to the trails of water, all over the place, I have just missed a romping good time between two bears, and tuned in just in time to see Kalluk’s last dive into the water. While he busied himself with the blue ball at “Stone Table” the female is enjoying inspecting the ledge under the rocks and popping up now and again for a little swim, a bit of a peek and a breath of air! I guess I better get online soon in the morning or I may miss half the fun!
April 5th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
7:00pm Polar Bear Cam Time~Two bears are sleeping together in the mulch bed. They look so content and affectionate! Who is this pair? I am dying to know who is out together right now! I did see Chinook earlier (shortly after 9am) taking a good roll in the dirt and coming out brown, and lettuce in the water with Kalluk eating away, and later a bear enjoying time with the small balls and eventually coming out and grabbing what looked like a carrot. And now this precious scene of two together, sleeping, and making me tired at the same time! Busy day at the plunge, no doubt!
April 14th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
polar bears are so cute,espesially the babies