iZoofari Chat: Bear Awareness Days, Polar Bears
Posted at 11:19 am April 23, 2008 by Dennis Corbran
Senior keeper Kelly Murphy talks about what its like to be a polar bear keeper and the bears’ distinct personalities. Hosted by Debbie Andreen.
(13:16)
Listen to Kelly’s previous chat, Breeding Season at Polar Bear Plunge…
Read blogs about the Zoo’s polar bears…
Watch the bears daily on Polar Cam…
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April 30th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I just found this! Wonderful! Thank you for all the information! I was not aware that they had a pool in their bedroom, so it is nice to know the bear(s) who are inside for a while can still have some swim time! I loved hearing about the carrots and yams, and everyone’s swimming techniques! They are such a joy to watch and always entertaining, indeed! From watching on the cam I have also noticed that Kalluk seems to prefer having somene in the water with him, and if the female doesn’t go in, he is apt to get out and try to chase them in, or knock them in! And then he belly flops on top of them, which gets playtime going strong! Wonderful podcast!
May 1st, 2008 at 6:33 pm
This is such a cute picture! I wonder who this is??? I just love the clear, HUGE paw!
Moderator’s note: That’s Kalluk and his paw.
May 10th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Enjoying a lovely view of two bears asleep in one of the mulch beds, with a red toy in front and lots of snow around them! What a fun picture and a happy day! I wonder what they are dreaming of!!
May 11th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I’ve got two questions.
are you guys going to make another place for the the polar cam?
Do you think your ever going to get a baby polar bear?
May 14th, 2008 at 11:27 am
I love watching the bears play in the water and check into see what they are doing most every day. I enjoyed listening to you tell about them. Thankyou for sharing with us.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:51 am
I love watching the polar cam and I love seeing all aspects of it, the keepers cleaning the areas, the bears eating, swimming etc. The last couple of days the polar cam has been showing another shot (not the polar plunge area), is their a reason you have changed to this view or is it something you do - change out the cam shots? Thanks
Moderator’s note: We try to keep the camera pointed in the area that shows the most action. Sometimes the camera gets moved accidentally!
May 28th, 2008 at 11:21 am
wat up poloar bears are cool
May 30th, 2008 at 9:51 am
I am bedridden and I used to watch the panda cam through the gadgets on my computer, then one day I thought I would look up on line the San Diego zoo and found more than just the panda bear, I am having so much fun watching the pandas, apes, elephants, and the polar bears. Thank you so much for all the animal fun,it keeps me busy switching back and forth to each animal cam.
June 12th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
where is the polar bear? i can’t see it on the cam.
Moderator’s note: You just have to be patient and soon a bear or two will be visible.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:47 am
How do you know their favorite colors?
Kelly responds: We have many duplicates of toys (ie: small Boomer balls). Each one is the same size and shape, they only vary in color. Each of the bears shows preference for particular colors as far as the one they go to first or play with the most.
June 27th, 2008 at 10:43 am
When is feeding time for the Polar Bears? ans Lions?
Kelly responds: The bears are fed a minimum of twice a day: once in the morning (6:30-ish) and again in the afternoon (usually by 1:30). However, their food is always fed individually in the holding area and is used for shifting and training purposes. Therefore, it can be several times a day depending on the schedule for that day. Otherwise, they receive veggies and, on occasion, other treats on the main exhibit which are not necessarily considered a part of their normal diet.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:53 am
I love the Poler Bear Cam!
July 14th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Boy! The minute Kelly goes on maternity leave, you guys start messing with the camera!
I don’t see any bear - just a close up of a rock.
Moderator’s note: Check it now…
July 14th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
What do all the polar bears names mean???
Moderator’s note: A chinook is a warm wind. Kalluk means “thunder” and tatqiq means “moon” in the Inuiat language.
July 15th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Are Chinook or Tatkik with baby yet? When will we know? (we must know this!)
My office is slightly hooked on the polar bear cam thanks to my sister Sandra’s office! We should all get back to work now!
(but of course, we keep the polar bear cam minimized and on the ready to check the happenings of those fun and crazy kids various times during the day!)
Moderator’s note: Our bears were not interested in breeding this year, but there’s always next year! In the meantime, we have a blog section devoted to polar bear news to help keep you and your co-workers current: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/category/default/polar-bears/
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Love watching these cams. It would be great if there could be one underwater to watch…..Cheers
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:54 am
Oh I love watching all the cams. I’m watching the polar bears now and it looks like one is bleeding. Do they fight? I can’t watch it right now. It’s scarey. But I do love it. I can sit and watch them all day. Thank you…………
July 29th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Where do the Polar Bears go when they are not on camera? And how many times a day do they get fed??… and what do they eat???
August 4th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
I love all the cams expecially the panda and polar bear cam. I have been watching the polar cam more than the panda cam recently and noticed 1 polar bear (and I was trying to figure out which one it is) always by him or her self. Is there a reason for that? Also, is there a way you can put which bear is showing like you do for the panda cam?
Thank you for these cams. I just love watching them.
Moderator’s note: Kelly often writes about the polar bears and their individual personalities. You can read her most recent blog at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/category/default/polar-bears/
The Polar Cam only has one camera. The Panda Cam has several cameras, so we try to identify which area of the Giant Panda Research Station is being viewed. With our limited manpower, that’s all we can do at this time. We hope you’ll continue to enjoy watching the Cams, even if it’s sometimes hard to tell who you’re looking at!
August 8th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I also love to watch the polar cam these days more than the panda cam like Karen.
I have a question. Which bear is the one that swims back and forth, and turns around under water and kicks off the wall? That just fascinates me.
I love watching when all three are in the water, and when they all play together. Thank you so much for the cam, I enjoy it tremendously. Keep up the great work!
Moderator’s note: According to our animal care staff, Chinook is the bear who likes to swim laps. Tatqiq spends more time playing in the water, often with toys. Hopes this helps!
September 1st, 2008 at 5:49 pm
I have noticed in that the cam seems different yesterday and today. It freezes up and not nearly as clear as it use to be. I miss being able to watch the bears in real time. lol
Moderator’s note: We’ll check it out.
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
OMG!!!!!!!! I love the panda cam! Its so cute when they just stop and sit and eventually fall asleep1
December 20th, 2008 at 8:49 am
I have 1 question? Why dont they move the polar cam as much as they move the panda cam. So you see the polar bears. Plus the polar bears are my favorite animal and I would like to see them more often please [plz] I love polar bears so much. They are so cute and im out to save the polar bears by saving electricity and i know almost everything about them.At school me and my sister made help save polar bears by saving electricity posters and gave them out.
Thanks Rebecca
Moderator’s note: Thank you, Rebecca, for your hard work to help save polar bears! We don’t have the same setup for the Polar Cam like we have for the Panda Cam. Maybe some day….
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
O well thanks you are very nice!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:32 pm
OMG thank you very much because I saw that you are moving the polar cam is and showing alot more polar bears I am so happy that im having good days!!!!!!!!!!!
:) 
:) 
Thanks Rebecca
March 12th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Hi im alissa im doin some research on polar bears and black bears but i only found polar bears, so u now…o and if u cud mayb put other animals in to the facts that wud b asoume aniway bey!!!:D *waves bey*
March 25th, 2009 at 8:28 am
What does a polar bear smell like?
Kelly responds: I can’t say that a polar bear has a distinguishing smell. I will say that during this time of year (breeding season), Kalluk tends to have a more musky smell and stronger-smelling urine. Otherwise, they smell of whatever elements are in the environment that they may have encountered or rolled around in.