Polar Bears: Meet Chinook and Shikari
Posted at 1:11 pm January 24, 2007 by Kelly Murphy
While the rest of us have been bundling up, cranking on the heater, and making fires every night, our polar bears are probably feeling right at home. As you well know, polar bears come from the Arctic where at this time of year they would be living out on the sea ice feasting on seals for as long as they could until forced to retreat to land and rely on the blubber they've built up. That's actually why our bears do quite well at the San Diego Zoo: they don't have a fat layer that's several inches thick; therefore, they don't worry about over heating when it's warm out. But now that I've told you about what " typical" polar bears would be doing, let me tell you about our bears"¦
Chinook and Shikari (pictured) are two sisters who've just turned 12 years of age. I like to refer to them as the " Sunday morning bears." You know, sleeping in, curled up in bed just hoping breakfast is on the way. While Kalluk and Tatqiq are on the main exhibit at Polar Bear Plunge, the two sisters are settled comfortably in their beds. But every day the bed is different. Sometimes it's hay, other times shavings, and on occasion, a nice fresh pile of mulch. Then there's the added fluffing that goes into it, like a shredded cardboard box or a burlap sac.
They do still go swimming but usually as a means to bathe or cool off. Although right now, Chinook is showing off her playful side and having some fun with the new toys in the pool. When it's their turn on exhibit, they take in the surroundings, enjoy their carrots and yams (yes, they eat their veggies), and then settle down again in a dirt pit or bed of sorts that we've laid out for them. I don't know about you, but I can't think of a better way to spend the day.
In my next blog I'll introduce you to the kids, Kalluk and Tatqiq.
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Watch the polar bears daily on Polar Cam.
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January 24th, 2007 at 2:43 pm
Thanks, Kelly, for sharing information about the polar bear sisters. I did not realize they were 12 years old. I thought they were also youngsters. They seem to have a wonderful life at the SDZ. I love to watch all 4 of them playing with their toys and swimming. They each have their own style and preferences on land and in the water. I was amazed that the last batch of snow lasted for more than 5 days. That must mean it was really cold in SD in December. It wouldn't have lasted two days here in VA. However, if you cool the rocks near the water to keep the water cold enough for them, that would explain why the " snow' took so long to melt.
It is interesting to see where the bears choose to nap outdoors. If you are leaving them special enrichment items for places to nap, it would explain why they can be seen in many different locations.
Do you rotate the pairs on different days, or different times of each day? I have tried to identify the pairs using the descriptions of each bear, but can't always tell for sure. Kalluk seems to be larger than any of the girls so he is easier to differentiate. Have you done anything to him to keep him from breeding with his sister? Or would there be no natural interest between them? I know you don't plan to breed him or any of the girls, I was just curious if he has to be separated at times from Tatqiq when she has an estrus.
January 24th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR A BLOG ON THE POLAR BEARS!!! I LOVE to watch the polar cam along side the panda cam and have come to love your bears too (they can be really hilarious at times!). PLEASE PLEASE keep up this great work. I would really love to hear abit about what the polar bears are up to. It's great to read about their daily lives. I too was wondering when you rotate the bears. I have seen them out on exhibit in the wee hours of the morning so it seems they get to have access to the exhibit 24/7, whomever is out at that time. Do you let one pair out in the morning then rotate the others for the afternoon? Or to have a whole day before they go behind the scenes? It would be helpful to know because I would like to differentiate between the pairs (although I have figured out who Chinook is because of her brownish fur). Also, would it be possible to have an underwater cam?
THANK you so much for the sharing info on Shikari and Chinook. I'm looking forward to reading about Tatqiq and Kalluk too!
January 24th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Oh, I also wanted to say: I can't wait to see them playing with their new icebergs they got for Christmas!!!
January 25th, 2007 at 12:48 am
The Polar Bears seem awesome, I love watching them on Cam. Can't wait to hear about the kids.
January 29th, 2007 at 6:48 am
What's up with whichever bear was out in the exhibit Sunday late afternoon, and again Monday morning? They keep " pacing" back and forth across an area of the exhibit where it appears water is flowing beneath them. Are they getting wet, or are they nervous? They did this for several hours.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:58 am
It is too late for me to watch this blog, because Shikari had left this world.
Kelly, would you write more about Shikari in the future blog ?
I think all of us want to know more about Shikari.
May 6th, 2007 at 9:00 am
So sorry to hear the news, Shikari will be greatly missed by all. My condolances to all the staff at the SDZ. I would like to know more about Shikari, and I would also like to know the nature of her illness.