Comments on: Polar Bears Sense Environmental Changes http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/ Mon, 13 Oct 2008 02:01:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Allie http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-217790 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:28:46 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-217790 That is fascinating. I am really looking forward to hearing more about your research efforts with the polar bears. Thanks! That is fascinating. I am really looking forward to hearing more about your research efforts with the polar bears.
Thanks!

]]> by: lin http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-217272 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:26:33 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-217272 I would imagine since in their natural habitat, the bears need to listen for seals, etc under thick ice, listen across vast tundras, their hearing is exceptional. However, when not stimulated accordingly, it is like a blind vs. sighted person,, we do not use to it's full potential, that which is not required for survival... The water pumps, the vehicles, the visitors' voices, airplanes, birds, keepers' routine noises,, all must mask the "natural sounds" that a natural habitat bear would encounter. Adaptation is a slow process, but I wonder how long it would take in reverse order??? With their natural habitat decreasing at an alarming rate due to global warming, tourists impact, we will never know.. thank goodness for your facility for these beautiful creations! I would imagine since in their natural habitat, the bears need to listen for seals, etc under thick ice, listen across vast tundras, their hearing is exceptional. However, when not stimulated accordingly, it is like a blind vs. sighted person,, we do not use to it’s full potential, that which is not required for survival…
The water pumps, the vehicles, the visitors’ voices, airplanes, birds, keepers’ routine noises,, all must mask the “natural sounds” that a natural habitat bear would encounter.
Adaptation is a slow process, but I wonder how long it would take in reverse order??? With their natural habitat decreasing at an alarming rate due to global warming, tourists impact, we will never know.. thank goodness for your facility for these beautiful creations!

]]> by: Marie http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-214916 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:49:53 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-214916 I can't wait to hear how you give a Polar bear a hearing test!!! That should be very, very interesting. :-) I can’t wait to hear how you give a Polar bear a hearing test!!! That should be very, very interesting. :-)

]]> by: Megan http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-212173 Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:54:18 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-212173 Hi Margaret, We have completed our hearing tests with the bears at SDZ, and are now focusing on the bears at SeaWorld San Diego. Tatqiq and Kalluk may participate next year. Shikari did indeed enjoy the hearing tests and we were all very saddened when she passed. She made a tremendous contribution to our study. Hi Margaret,
We have completed our hearing tests with the bears at SDZ, and are now focusing on the bears at SeaWorld San Diego. Tatqiq and Kalluk may participate next year. Shikari did indeed enjoy the hearing tests and we were all very saddened when she passed. She made a tremendous contribution to our study.

]]> by: Margaret http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-211488 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:38:26 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/default/polar-bears-sense-environmental-changes/#comment-211488 How is the hearing test going at SDZ, now that your star participant (Shikari) has been gone for a year? I see that her sister, Chinook, is out rolling to be a brown bear again. She sure does enjoy it! Are Kalluk and Tatqig also participating in your hearing test? I recall being very impressed by the descriptions of Chinook's and Shikari's particpation. It was especially heartbreaking that Shikari was lost because she enjoyed the testing sessions so much and was making great contributions to the research. How is the hearing test going at SDZ, now that your star participant (Shikari) has been gone for a year?

I see that her sister, Chinook, is out rolling to be a brown bear again. She sure does enjoy it!

Are Kalluk and Tatqig also participating in your hearing test? I recall being very impressed by the descriptions of Chinook’s and Shikari’s particpation. It was especially heartbreaking that Shikari was lost because she enjoyed the testing sessions so much and was making great contributions to the research.

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