Polar Bears Reunited
Posted at 3:05 pm June 23, 2008 by Kelly Murphy
Almost one year to the date of the first time we put all three polar bears together, we decided to reintroduce them on June 17. With it being the end of breeding season, and exhausting Tatqiq's patience with her " alone" time, we determined it was time to try all three bears together again. Having the first round last year go so well, we were fairly optimistic that this time wouldn't be all that different. That, along with the friendly interactions between the girls through the introduction panel, was helpful.
We started early again and released Kalluk and Tatqiq first onto the exhibit. As soon as they came out, they immediately noticed all the people stationed around the area and looked at us as if to say, " Okay, when is she coming out?" Again, these bears are smart and there's no getting anything past them! After about five minutes, we released Chinook, who didn't hesitate to approach for greetings. They were mostly directed at Tatqiq, but, as usual, Kalluk was right there to investigate what was going on.
Where as last time Tatqiq was hesitant at first and unsure of Chinook's intentions, this was not obviously the case now. Almost immediately, Tatqiq was backing into the pool, enticing Chinook to follow. After a few head-bobs and peek-a-boos, Chinook obliged. Kalluk stood on the edge of the pool, watching the game before him and feeling a little left out. He decided not to wait for an invitation and plunged into the pool to join in the fun. Needless to say, what followed was several hours of entertainment!
There were periods of one on one, two on one, and everybody for themselves. They chased each other on land and reared up for wrestling. And then, in the afternoon, there were naps to be had by all. By the end of the day, Kalluk was sacked out in front of the exhibit, Tatqiq was curled up in her bed of palm and ginger browse, and Chinook was in the bedroom area grazing on her bone.
Just like before, we will continue with variable shifts and pull-offs as well as the separation of Chinook overnight, not just to help reestablish and strengthen our management, but also because Chinook still likes some alone time. But whether you're visiting the San Diego Zoo or watching Polar Cam, your chances of seeing frolicking polar bears are pretty good!
Kelly Murphy is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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June 23rd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Thanks Kelly for the update! I enjoy the news from the polar bears as much as I do from the pandas. The trio is always fun to watch, especially now that they have grown acquainted with one another. I can't wait to see the photos of them frolicking!
June 24th, 2008 at 5:36 am
I saw them out on exhibit together the other day and they were having such fun! I am glad they are all able to play and interact together again. They are a joy to watch and I second what Grace says - I love hearing about them as much as the pandas!! Thanks for the update!
June 24th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Wonderful! I am so happy that the transition was quick and a joyful one! I think I saw the day Tatqiq was playing peek-a-boo, while Chinook was by the water edge, not sure if she should jump in or not. Lots of nuzzling seemed to finally persuade her it was okay to come on in! This is thrilling news and I am so glad all are getting along well! A happy summer ahead, I think!! Good work!! They are such a delight to watch!
June 24th, 2008 at 6:22 am
I think we can learn a lot from these polar bears and how they interact. Now if only us humans could be so dearing towards each other.
June 24th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I was lucky enough as I had commented on another blog, to see all 3 bears playing and wrestling together recently. And cant wait to see it again. They sure did look happy…and seemed to not get
enough of each other. =)
June 24th, 2008 at 11:04 am
#5 Lainie, I saw your other post and went off to have a look. There they were, all three having fantastic fun in the water. Oh, did I wish, like you, I was with them (well, you know what I mean!) I just love to see happy animals and, #4 Go San Diego Card it would indeed be great if all humans were like that.
June 24th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Wow! These are wonderful photos of the bears playing and wrestling together! Thanks to the photographers for catching these shots! They made my day!
June 24th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
How precious! I love polar bears too! Can't wait to see them again when I visit in Sept.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
What??? No baby polar bear cub this year?? That's sad!! I was really looking forward to seeing a baby polar bear, but you just can't force Kalluk and Taqiq into anything, I guess. I've been wondering why you did not artificially inseminate Tatqiq to see if she could get pregnant. I would like to have someone explain that to me and everybody else about that scenario. Oh well……!
I'm glad that all three bears are together again! I'll be getting on the polar bear cam to catch all 3 of them doing their thing in the pool during the day. You all are doing a great job with these bears! Hopefully, we will be seeing a polar bear cub next year!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
June 24th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Awesome! I love to see all the bears interact. Thanks for the blog on the polar bears. I was hoping the SDZ would create a blog just like the pandas have for some time (I even sent an email requesting one!) and I look forward to reading more about their antics. I was at the zoo in October (I live in Dallas) and really enjoyed watching them. They're the most entertaining animals I've ever seen! Kalluk is a hoot!
June 25th, 2008 at 6:01 am
what great pictures, It's fantastic to see the three together again and really enjoying themselves. all of you did a great job getting them prepared to be reunited. enjoy all the fun
June 25th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Great photos! Enjoyed them all.
Moderator's note: We'll pass along all of these compliments to our Zoo photographer!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:54 am
GREAT story — GREAT photos!! What a way to start my work day — I laughed out loud, have a little lump in my throat, tiny bit of a tear in my eyes because I am so happy that these beautiful bears are so loved, seem so healthy and clearly are having a great time playing together. Thank you so much for sharing!!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:34 am
I am watching the threesome frolic in the plunge this morning playing with 2 red balls. If I identify the bears correctly, looks to me like the girls are playing " keep away" with Kalluk. The bear without his/her own ball will chase after the others and try and grab one and when that proves unsuccessful, you just jump on the other bear instead! They look like they are just a bunch of kids having such fun. Sometimes, I wish I was a polar bear!
June 25th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I have been enjoying watching all three polar bears playing with two red balls in the pool. The third bear would knock the ball out of another ones' paws and start playing with it, roll over on their back and hold it with their paws and swim away, and then it would start all over again. What fun these bears are to watch, they are so playful and are getting along so well. It is a joy to watch.
June 25th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Cute, cute pics!!! Is there an easy way to tell who is who?
June 25th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Hi Kelly - All the photos of the three bears enjoying their reintroduction are fabulous!
A few weeks ago watching two bears splashing around and playing kept us at the exhibit for about one hour. Now, three bears wrestling and romping will keep us at the exhibit all day
Kelly, many thanks to you and all the polar bear keepers for your innovative ways of keeping our bears entertained and happy.
June 25th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Wow …. this is the first time all these pictures have come up while I was reading the blog. Kept wondering what everyone was talking about. Now I can see them Yes, awesome, perfect pictures !!! =)
Yes, I'd love to also see a regular blog as we do for the pandas, for the polar bears !!
Cant get enough !!!
June 26th, 2008 at 6:49 am
Great post and amazing pictures!! Thanks so much for this wonderful look at the world's coolest polar bears! Like Lainie, I also can't get enough of them.
Maybe there's a similar update on Scout and Montana coming? Please???
June 26th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Fabulous pictures, many thanks for the photos and the update on the reunion. Glad to hear it went as well as last year. Sounds like all three were ready for more interaction and " new" playmates. It is great for Chinook to have another girl to play with since she lost her sister last year, and it is good for Tatqiq to have a girl to play with instead of just her brother all the time.
Looking forward to more updates over the coming months of the fun and games between the bears, and with their keepers, such as hiding things creatively.
June 26th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
That photo is excellent! Please turn into a postcard or poster! I would love one to frame and put by my computer!!!
June 27th, 2008 at 5:55 am
5:50am Polar Bear Cam Time!! I have been watching for the past 1/2 hour as one bear is having the time of their life in the plunge! They have managed to investigate and play with every toy and ball in the water, run along the edge, do an impressive dive in the pool, sink red ball as deep as possible to watch it pop up, peek under the shelf, and sit at " stone table" while bit, lick and rub their face all over one of the red balls, as they cup it in their paws! This bear must know it is almost time to come in, because they seem to be making the most out of their last hour before being pulled in during cleanup time!
Yes, I want to be a polar bear, too! That water looks inviting and toys and diving and splashy waves looks like cool fun!!!!
June 27th, 2008 at 9:35 am
What a great story and great pictures! I, too, love reading about the polar bears as much as the pandas. What wonderful creatures they all are. Those of us far, far away (on the other coast) are so glad to have such great storytellers and photographers, and those of you who are out there are SO lucky! Thanks for the good work and keep it coming!
June 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I was at the zoo on June 18th for my birthday, and the polar bears were all definitely in a playful mood with each other! It was great to watch them so soon after being reunited. Great blog and photos!
June 27th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Great Story about the Polar Bears. I only wish I could visit more than a few days each year.
June 27th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
We saw the bears playing and splashing on June 25th — they were all having such a great time! We had never seen them so active — pouncing on their red balls, eating carrots in the water. It was a true joy to see them so happy and active!
June 28th, 2008 at 12:03 am
I totally agree with everyone. It was great fun, watching these mighty creatures play with each other and with their 'enrichment tools'.
#9-Chari, since Tatqiq and Kalluk are sister & brother, I wouldn't expect them to be allowed to breed with each other. Maybe insemination from another male in another zoo. That would be great.
Is Tatqiq old enough to have babies? I don't know when they are " ready" to breed. Wow! Imagine being able to watch a baby polar bear cub grow up, as we have seen with the Giant Pandas. Meanwhile, we'll be happy watching Chinook, Tatqiq, and Kalluk splash and play with each other. I am 65 years old, and never would I have imagined that I would be able to enjoy all these amazing animals in 3 zoos, from coast to coast, watch their babies grow, all in the comfort of my own home. Life is good!
June 28th, 2008 at 3:20 am
It´s wonderful to read this notice and to enjoy this bath! Thank you very much from Aveiro, Portugal.
PS - I hope to visit ine day " in loco" S. Diego ZOO!!!
June 28th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Ii was wonderful read and seeing the great pics of the polar bears !! I am in awe of the size and sweet nature of these huge animals : ) Thanks for the great information , i loved it : )
June 28th, 2008 at 10:50 am
With the camera turned and the bears romping in the water pool with the waterfall, I am very curious as to what the attraction to this area suddenly is, or am I just noticing it more because the camera is pointed this way? Seeing all three having lots of fun is wonderful! The waterfall must be very inviting to them!!
June 28th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Thanks for the update and fun pics. Has anyone captured their antics and posted them on youtube? If so, would you please post a link or two.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:05 am
Hello my American collegues,
Remember me, the dutch intern? Can't belive that it is already some years ago… It is great to read about the polars and how they are doing. Especially since I was there with the first introduction.
Greeting to all!
June 30th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Great to see photos of polar bears playing living in United Kingdom do not get to see them and the pandas, without web cam visited once and loved every minute of it, thanks Barbara
July 2nd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I don't know who is in the pool right, now but the bear seems to be having a great time playing with the blue ball!
July 7th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I am watching all three bears in the water, and one of the females swims over to the rock edge and pushes off to swim on her back across the pool. She has done it over and over. What a fun place to be on this warm California day!
July 7th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I was also watching all 3 swimming in the pool this morning — and thought they looked so graceful — and at times looked like they were performing a synchromized water ballet. One of them really does have a beautiful backstroke — gliding from one end of the pool to the other. Oh — it looked so nice and refreshing — really wished I could join in the fun.