The loss of Hope

Young Hope at Marineland

We just received the terrible news of Hope's passing during a dental procedure at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park. The daughter of Flocke and Raspi, she would have been 11 years old in November.

Flocke and Baby Hope in 2015

Flocke and Hope in 2015

Hope at 5 months in Marineland

Hope seemed to have lead a charmed life. She was a beloved new arrival at Marineland on the French Riviera when the famous Flocke gave birth back in 2014. Because Flocke was raised by her keepers, some doubted that she would have the mothering instinct, but Flocke turned out to be an exemplary mother.

Hope and Flocke in 2017

Hope  grew up adored by so many, and lived in a magical place. She even had a snow grotto, which she loved to roll around in with her mom Flocke. 

Flocke and Hope in the ice grotto

Dad Raspi was curious about his daughter and she was also interested in what Raspi was doing. It was a lovely family and there was always something fun going on.

Hope visits with Daddy Raspi

Flocke and Hope in 2017

Hope and Flocke in 2016

In 2018 Hope was three years old, and moved to Orsa Bear Park in Sweden, where she lived in a snowy wilderness with Eva and Wilbär. There she gave birth to twin boys in 2021, Nannok and Noori. 

Hope's father Raspi moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park, then to Tallinn Estonia, and is now in Aalborg Denmark. After Raspi moved from YWP, Flocke and her triplets moved from Marineland to Doncaster to the same enclosure Raspi had occupied, far from the bachelor group. Sadly, Marineland eventually closed, but the bears had already moved.

Drama for Hope and the other polar bears in Orsa ensued when the Park was announced to be closing, and after some scrambling to find the bears a new home, Hope and her boys were sent to Peak Wildlife Park in the UK. Ewa moved to Jimmy's, and Wilbär moved to Ouwehands.

The boys Nannok and Noori stayed behind at Peak Wildlife Park when Hope moved to Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park last year, where Hope was reunited with her mother Flocke, and also her old friend Ewa. Hope met her younger sister Tala there too. The other two of Flocke's triplets, the boys Indie and Yuma, live in YWP in Doncaster.

Hope was a lovely bear. It was nice that she could be reunited with her mother and meet her sister. The family partly back together again. We will all miss sweet Hope.

Hope in Marineland

Kulu and the old folks home

 

Kulu on the left, Nan says hello on the right.

Young Kulu

The largest of three bears at the Como Zoo in St. Paul Minnesota, young Kulu, is 5 1/2 years old and weighs 1300 pounds. As polar bear keeper Allison says, he is now a young adult, with hormones surging through his body. His companions are up there in years. Nan, at 30, is the oldest polar bear in a US zoo. Neil, at 29, is the oldest male polar bear in the world.

Nan on rock, Neil center, and Kulu, right

It is like an old folks home that has had a teenager move in, as Allison says. While having a youngster around helps keep the oldsters on their toes, Kulu is learning adult bear behavior from Nan and Neil.

Kulu on rock, Nan below

Kulu was born as a single cub in the Columbus Zoo to Aurora and Lee on November 28, 2019.

Baby Kulu in Columbus with mom Aurora

Previously, Aurora had given birth to Nora and twins Nuniq and Neva. This is a first offspring for Lee. Aurora, daughter of Crystal and Marty, was born in the Toledo Zoo along with her twin sister Anana, who passed away several years ago. Lee is the son of another Aurora (born in Salt Lake City), and Yukon, who was born in the Cincinnati Zoo.

Kulu and his mom Aurora in Columbus

When baby Kulu reached a certain age, Aunt Anana was introduced and quickly became Kulu's favorite playmate, while mother Aurora took naps or watched. 

Kulu in center, with mom Aurora and Aunt Anana in Columbus

Kulu plays with his Auntie Anana in Columbus

In the fall of 2021, Kulu moved to Como Zoo, where Neil and Nan were waiting. They easily took over the role of doting adoptive grandparents, and Kulu especially enjoyed playing in the pool with Neil.

Neil and Kulu spar in the Como pool - in 2022.

Now that Neil is a few years older and slowing down, Kulu plays a lot more with Nan, who is half his size at 650 pounds, but she knows how to keep him in line. 

In 2025, Kulu begs Neil to come into the pool. But it is too hard
 for Neil to get in and out because of his arthritis, so he declines.

Nan is still the boss. After all, Kulu grew up being bossed around by the ladies, his mom Aurora and his Aunt Anana. 

Kulu and Nan

I visited a few months ago, and the three bears enjoyed frolicking in the wildflower meadow, playing games and even engaged in a bit of chasing. 

Nan, Kulu and Neil in the wildflowers  this summer

Old Neil rarely goes into the water these days, but that doesn't stop Kulu from begging the old guy to join him in the pool. 

Kulu and Nan have a little battle in the wildflowers

Nan doesn't mind being a swim buddy for Kulu, although there isn't a lot of playing. She does her best, though.

Kulu gives Nan a little "kiss" in the Como pool. 

Or maybe a little bite for Nan.

Kulu's older companions are family too. While wildborn Nan is unrelated, she did live for many years in the Toledo Zoo with Kulu's grandparents Crystal and Marty. Neil is brother of the late Icee, who was father of Kulu's grandfather Yukon who was born in the Cincinnati Zoo, so Neil is Kulu's great great uncle. 

Kulu on the left, Great Great Uncle Neil on the right.

Winter is coming in a few months and there will be plenty of snow and cold at Como Zoo. Kulu will celebrate his 6th birthday. Nan will be 31, and Neil will be 30. Yes, things will change as Nan and Neil get older, and someday will pass on, but for now, it is a great situation for a young polar bear boy. 

A lovely situation,
 Nan, Kulu and Neil all living happily together at Como Zoo.

Kulu is a busy boy, always up to something.