Kap leaves a legacy

Kap, always curious

 

Kap was a handsome bear

Kap was born in the Moscow Zoo on October 16, 2000. He had many relatives, including some half brothers. He leaves behind a daughter, Anouk now in France, and a son, young Mika, still living with his mother Nuka in Karlsruhe.

Kap's son Mika, and his mother Nuka.
Photo with permission by Petra Ballon.

Kap's father was Uold, brother of the famous Uslada, mother of 16 cubs, and also of Maleishka, mother of new father Pim in Sao Paulo.

Kap's mother was Murma, who was also mother of  new father Gota of Japan (father of the late Milk and also 4 year old Fubuki),  Boris/Ivan of Skandinavisk Dyrepark in Denmark (father of Nuna's cubs), and  Rasputin of Aalborg (father of Hope and the triplets Tala, Indie and Yuma). 

Kap in his empire. My photos from 2017.

He lived in Karlsruhe three times, and Neumünster twice. He also live in Hannover for a short time. While in Hamburg, he became a father of daughter Anouk, born in 2022 to Viktoria. Then just last fall, his mate in Karlsruhe, Nuka, gave birth to twins, one of whom survived and is a boy named Mika. Kap spent many years alone in Neumünster, so I was glad when he was given the chance to live with another bear, and to father some cubs.  

In Karlsruhe, Kap had a nice big pool, with an underwater viewing area.

Kap shaking it off.

Kap - King of the Mountain.

Kap and the cave

Kap rather suddenly became ill about two months ago, and the vets examined him under anesthesia to find the cause, and it seems there were a number of illnesses. He would get a little better, then worse again. At the end, he could barely walk and had trouble lifting his head. He was confined to the mother-cub enclosure, which was a lot smaller and safer for him in his condition.

Smiling Kap

It became clear that his condition had deteriorated to the point when the kind thing was to put him to sleep. At age 24, he was the oldest male polar bear in a European zoo. Worldwide, the oldest in Neil in Como Zoo, who is 29 years old. In the wild, a polar bear would be lucky to live to be 15 years of age.

Sharing his lunch with the herons

Kap and feathered friend

Kap was a gentle bear, always curious. He was happy to share his food with the herons who liked to visit the polar bears in Karlsruhe. 

It's a sad time in Karlsruhe. Kap was well loved. 

Kap in his swimming days

The zoo published this on their facebook page, to announce the death of Kap.

At 24 years old, he was the oldest male polar bear in the European Conservation Breeding Program (EEP). However, after his health deteriorated further, Kap was euthanized today at the Karlsruhe Zoo. The two zootists and two external veterinarians had previously placed the polar bear in anesthesia for further examination.

Kap has been strangely worse in the past few days. Among the previous complaints, he had had trouble walking, and also kept his head very low in a kind of good posture. That's why the polar bear was put on pain medication. Zoo doctors Dr. Marco Roller and Dr. Lukas Reese opted for another examination in anesthesia.

During this, it was found that liver levels had deteriorated despite special medication. In addition, the study, conducted in collaboration with AniCura Karlsruhe, showed major changes in the gallbladder and liver in the ultrasound. Since there was no positive prognosis, it was decided to redeem Kap. The body of the animal will now be examined in pathology. "A section is generally made for such zooters, we hope for even more clarity from it. Unfortunately, on living large animals, the possibilities for examination are limited, so pathology always has a special importance for us," says Roller.

About eight weeks ago, it had begun that the general state of  Kap changed from one day to the next and the responsible concern was prepared. The polar bear's health has become increasingly critical. Subsequently, he was already examined under anesthesia. However, the investigation at that time did not bring a clear conclusion to the cause. Meanwhile, Kap was also getting better, which gave the zoo team hope. The situation had to be re-evaluated due to the problems that have now been added.

Farewell, handsome Kap.

Eight polar bear cubs this season

For International Polar Bear Day, February 27, I have put together a story about this season's polar bear cubs, born in November and December of 2024.

For several months, we though there were only four cubs, the baby in Karlsruhe, and the three in Japan. Then just a few weeks ago, we learned of four more: twins in Hungary, a cub in Perm Russia, and a little girl in Brazil!

So now eight polar bear cubs in zoos have been announced this year worldwide, four singles and two sets of twins. Here, I try to give some family lineage, and how these cubs might be  related.

We only know the gender of three of the cubs, the boy in Karlsruhe, the girl in Brazil, and the girl in Perm, but further  announcements should be coming soon. So far, Nur in Brazil is the only one to make her public appearance, today, which is Polar Bear Day. None of the other cubs have made a public debut, but that also should be coming soon. And just one name so far, again, that of Nur in Brazil.

Family connections

Nuka and Kap's son is nephew of the famous late Knut, as Nuka is half sister, through their father Lars. 

The late famous Aika of Tierpark Berlin would have been great grandmother to both Lloyd's twins in Hungary and Paula's twins in Japan. Aika was mother of Lloyd's father Eric, and Paula's father Bjorn-Heinrich. 

The twins in Sosto Hungary are descendants of the famous American pair Olaf and Olga of the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha Nebraska, through their grandmother Olinka.

The cub in Karlsruhe is nephew of my favorite bear Raspi, through his half brother Kap, the father. Raspi is also great uncle of Shilka's cub, as Raspi is half brother of Shilka's mother Gerda.

Many of the cubs are descendants of Uslada, the famous mother of 16 cubs of St. Petersburg Russia.

Sisters and Brothers

Among the proud parents are (half) brother and sister Pim (Brazil) and Milka (Russia), now living halfway around the world and in different hemispheres from each other, but they do share the same mother, Maleishka. Pim was born three years before Milka, both born in Kazan.

Milka is also (half) sister of Gogo, the new father in Yokohama Japan, as they share the same father, Yukon. And Yukon is also grandfather of Pim, whose father is Milka and Gogo's brother Permjack.

Born in the wild

Two of the parents were Russian wildborn, rescued as cubs: Seriku in Perm Zoo and Aurora in Brazil.

I have given the cubs' details listed in order of date of birth. The photos of the parents are mine, the photos showing the cubs are from the respective zoos.

Nuka and Kap's son in Karlsruhe

Nuka and Kap - Zoo Karlsruhe Germany

- November 2 - It's a boy

In early November, Nuka gave birth to twins in the outside part of the mother cub enclosure in Karlsruhe. Zoo staff were not optimistic about their survival, especially because Nuka chose to give birth in a somewhat sheltered half cave, but still exposed to the elements. The single camera did not have a good view, but there were baby sounds coming from the birth area. We know now that only one cub survived, The area was cordoned off to give Nuka peace and quiet, and keepers threw in bags of straw for bedding and for barriers so the cub wouldn't fall into the drained pool. When the cub began to explore, Nuka coaxed the little one inside, to the safety of the den. That little boy is thriving, and will be seen by visitors in about two weeks.

Nuka and her twin sister Qilak were born in Aalborg Denmark in 2016 to mother Malik and father Lars, who was also the father of the famous Knut as well as Anori and Fiete. Malik's other twins are Imaq and Inuk, who have just moved to Tallinn Estonia.

Father Kap was born in Moscow in 2000 to wildborn Murma and Uold (brother of Uslada). Kap is also the father of young Anouk in Hamburg. Kap is half brother to Gota (in Japan), Boris/Ivan (in Skandinavisk Dyrepark in Denmark) and Raspi/Rasputin, who has just moved to Aalborg.

There's an American connection too, as Malik's grandfather Nanook of Copenhagen was also father of Wilhelm (Willy), the rescued circus bear in the US.,  as well as father of Corinna, mother of Wilbär.

The public can now vote for a name for the Karlsruhe cub among three: Manuk, Maximus or Mika.

anslation results

Translation resu

Milka's cub in Perm, Russia

Milka (also called Yumki) and Seriku - Perm Zoo Russia - November 15

This cub's existence was kept secret until a few weeks ago, and it was just announced that the cub is a girl.

Mother Milka was born in 2012 in Kazan. Her mother was Maleishka (sister of Uslada and Uold and others), who was also mother of Pim, father of the Brazil cub. So Pim is Milka's half brother. Milka's father was Yukon, who was also the father of Gogo, father of Shilka's newest cub in Japan. 

The cub's father Seriku was born in December of 2012 in the wilds of Northwestern Siberia, on the island of Bely, and found alone.  He has been in the Perm Zoo since he was rescued in August of 2013. Milka arrived in Perm several months later, so the youngsters grew up together and are devoted to each other. This is their first cub.

Shilka and Gogo's cub in Yokohama

Shilka (Ichaan) and Gogo - Yokohama Zoo Japan - November 18

Shilka, born in Novosibirsk Russia in December of 2013,  is the daughter of Gerda and Kai (Krassin). Shilka and Gogo are also parents of Hochan, born in 2020.

Shilka's mother Gerda is the granddaughter of Uslada and Menshikov, and is daughter of Untai and Simona. Through her father, Gerda is half sister of Gota, Raspi, and Boris/Ivan. Through her mother, Gerda is half sister of nine other bears including Flocke's mother Vera. Kai (Krassin), the father of all of Gerda's cubs in Novosibirsk, is also son of Uslada, so he is Gerda's uncle. Gerda and Kai are also parents of Rostik, twins Shauna and Nordi, and twins Belka and Strelka. Shilka's father Kai (Krassin) has an older brother Lagodor, also called Kai, who is the father of Paula's cub. 

Father Gogo, always playing with toys and doing amusing things, was born in 2004, the offspring of Amderma and Yukon. Amderma was also mother of  Gogo's brother Menshikov, the mate of Uslada and father of many bears. Amderma was also grandmother of  Sao Paulo's new father Pim.  

Aurora and Nur in Brazil

Aurora and Pim - Sao Paulo Brazil 

- November 25 - a girl named Nur

We did not know about Nur until a few weeks ago. Just today, she made her public debut, playing in piles of snow with her mother Aurora.

Aurora and her twin sister Victoria were born in the wild in 2009. They were found at the age of 4 or 5 months near Lake Taymyr in the northern Krasnoyarsk region of Russia. They lived at Krasnoyarsk Zoo for much of 2010, then Aurora moved to Izhevsk Zoo, where Pim was already living. I have no more information on Victoria.  

Aurora and Pim were great playmates in the Izhevsk Zoo and then in 2014, the pair moved halfway around the world to Sao Paulo Aquarium in Brazil. 

Pim (Pilgrim)was born in 2009 in Kazan, to Uslada's sister Maleishka (also mother of Perm Zoo's new mom Milka born in 2012 with Yukon as the father), and Permjak (brother of Gogo, who is father of Shilka's cub). Permjak's parents were Amderma and Yukon. Pim spent a few months in Novosibirsk when he was less than a year, then a few more months in Moscow, finally moving to the Izhevsk Zoo in early 2011. A few months later young Aurora arrived in Izhevsk, and they two of them finally were moved to Brazil in 2014, where they have just now produced a cub.

This is the first polar bear cub born in Brazil. I do not know of any others ever born in South America.

Lloyd, father of the twins in Hungary,
 in 2016 in Bremerhaven.

The twins in Sosto Zoo

Lloyd and Schnezana (Sznyezsana) 

 - November 27 - Twins

Nyíregyháza Animal Park, Sóstó Zoo Hungary

The twins in Hungary were also kept secret until just recently.

Sznyezsana was born in 2014 in Moscow to Uslada's daughter Simona and wildborn Wrangel. In 2017 Sznyezsana moved to Sosto Hungary.

As daughter of Simona, Sznyezsana (there are various spellings) is sister of many bears we know, including Nord (of Aalborg), Vera, Gerda and many others. 

Lloyd was born in 2000 in Vienna to Olinka and Eric. Olinka's father Omaha was born in Henry Doorly Zoo in Nebraska to Olaf and Olga, so Paula's cubs are related to some American bears. Eric was the son of Aika in Tierpark Berlin, so he was brother to Bjorn-Heinrich, father of new mother Paula in Japan.

Lloyd has lived in Bremerhaven, Karlsruhe, Budapest and Sosto. In Bremerhaven he fathered Lale, Lili, and twins Anna and Elsa with Valeska.

Paula's twins in Sendai Japan
To me, they look like boys.

Paula and Kai - Sendai Japan - December 20 - Twins

Paula's twins were announced in January.

Paula is closely related to many bears we know in Europe. Paula was born in 2004 in Palic, the daughter of Simba and Bjorn-Heinrich. Bjorn-Heinrich was born in Tierpark Berlin in 1986, the son of the famous Aika and Gorki, and thus was the brother of Eric, a bear we are all familiar with as father of Olinka’s children and a few others. So Paula is first cousin of Lloyd, Nika, Nord, Felix, Lara, Arctos, Nanuq, Vicks, Todz and Sizzel. 

The father of Paula's cubs is another bear also named Kai  (Ladogor), also son of Uslada and Menshikov. He was born in 2004 in St. Petersburg. He is brother of the other Kai (Krassin) of Novosibirsk.

I remember that Paula was announced as having a cub last year, but nothing more was heard, so I am guessing that it did not live long.

So it was great news to hear that she had twins this year, and they are doing well.

Nuka, the new mom in Karlsruhe,
 when she was young in 2019 in Aalborg.

Kap, the new father in Karlsruhe.

Happy Mother's Day to Crystal, Gerda and Victoria

 Of course all polar bear mothers deserve appreciation, especially on Mother's Day. But this story will focus on the new moms who gave birth last November and December, even though we didn't hear about Victoria's secret surprise until just a few weeks ago. 

Kallu and Kallik  - photo by the Toledo Zoo.

Crystal

In December news came of  the birth of twins in the Toledo Zoo, to veteran mother Crystal and her companion Nuka. The cubs were born on November 11, but kept secret for a few weeks, announced on December 1. For a time, it seemed like those might be the only cubs born worldwide in a zoo this year.  And there was a public dencam so we could watch the babies grow. Interestingly enough, one of the cubs was much larger than the other.

We later learned that the twins are boys, given the names Kallik and Kallu (Thunder and Lightning). Little Kallik has recently caught up and now is almost as big as his brother. It has been observed that the little one has grown into the bolder and braver brother, the first to take to the pool inside, and willing to wander away from mother for longer periods. Kallu, the bigger brother, was quite hesitant to step into the kiddie pool, and his little brother kept trying to persuade him, maybe even giving him a little push sometimes. Now, both brothers seem comfortable in the water.

The Toledo Twins were make their public debut on Friday, April 28, and everyone was so excited. However, when the big day came, the boys were intimidated by the bigger space outside, and wanted to play with their toys in the familiar areas of the dig yard and inside pool room. The interior dencam was turned back on, so the fans could see that the cubs were fine. Their public debut was rescheduled for the following Friday, May 5, and this time the cubs were ready and raring to go.

Crystal and her cubs - Photo by the Toledo Zoo.

Crystal is already the mother of twins Aurora and the late Anana, son Siku, twins Suka and Sakari, daughter Hope and son Borealis, all with the late Marty as the father. Crystal is also the grandmother of seven cubs.

Crystal with her cubs in the den, dencam photo

The father of Kallik and Kallu is Nuka, who is also the father of 2 year old twin girls in Detroit, with the mother being Crystal's grown daughter Suka. Papa Nuka is now back in Detroit.

Nuka (my photo)

For several months, we all thought that Crystal's twins might be the only cubs born in a zoo worldwide. But there were two other mothers who were denned up with little ones after having secretly given birth in December. 

Gerda and her daughters. (photo by оксана калинина)

Gerda

In early February, we learned that Gerda in Novosibirsk in Siberia, Russia had given birth to twins on December 16. These cubs made their public debut in the middle of March, with much snow still on the ground. We have learned that these twins are girls, but no names have been announced yet. There is a naming contest. The father is Kraisin,  better known to his friends as Kai.

Gerda is an experienced mother, having raised Shilka (who now lives in Japan), Rostik (who was sent to China), and twins Shauna and Nordi, a girl and a boy, who are now about four years old and living somewhere behind the scenes in the Novosibirsk Zoo. Gerda is a grandmother, since Shilka has a two year old daughter Ho-chan.

Gerda was born in Moscow in 2007 to Simona and Wrangel. She is sister to Vera, mother of the famous Flocke, Gerda's grandmother was Uslada of St. Petersburg, who was the mother of 16 cubs so there are many cousins throughout Europe and Russia.

Victoria's cub - Photo by Hagenbeck Zoo

Victoria

Because the European polar bear breeding program has been a little too successful, and there is a shortage of suitable zoo homes, there has been a halt to breeding, with many of the bears moved to all girl or all boy groups. So we expected there would be no cubs in Europe this season.

But at the very end of April, we had a surprise. Victoria and Kap of Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg Germany produced a mysterious secret cub born December 19. This cub still has no name, we don't know if it is a boy or girl yet, and the cub is still not in the public eye.

Victoria in 2014 (with Blizzard)

At 20 years of age, Victoria is an older lady who had never given birth up until now, so of course everyone thought that a cub was out of the question. Older lady bears can become mothers, of course, but almost always they have had cubs before. Victoria had been for many years with Blizzard, who was later found to be sterile. Then Kap arrived in the spring of 2020, but still no cubs, until now. This is a first cub for Kap too, who has spent much of his life alone in Neumünster, then a short time in Karlsruhe, where I finally met him. Kap is half brother of Raspi, and several other bears. 

Kap when I visited him in Karlsruhe in 2017

Victoria's genes are especially valuable since she isn't related to other bears. Her mother Fanny gave birth to Victoria in Hagenbeck, and Victoria lived there most of her life except for a short stay in Zoo am Meer in Bremerhaven, while the zoo was building the new walrus-polar bear-penguin complex.

Fanny did have another cub, Victoria's older brother named Charly, who lived out his life in SeaWorld San Diego, and died in 2012. 

Victoria is the product of several generations of inbreeding, as zoos were not so careful in those days. One again, it is a miracle that she had this cub.

European polar bear cubs usually start appearing in public in mid-March. So why is the Hagenbeck cub still behind the scenes? My theory is that the enclosure, while fairly new, was not designed with young cubs in mind, being rocky and sort of steep. There is limited space for visitors who want to see the bears. The complex, made for polar bears, penguins and walruses, gave much more emphasis to the walruses, and most polar bear fans are disappointed in the new enclosure.

Mother Victoria and the keepers may be waiting for the cub to mature a bit more before letting it wander around the rocky habitat. There seems to be a pool accessible to the cub at the top, for there is a video with the cub swimming in the background, and I believe there is a flat area up there, but it is out of sight from visitors. The cub is about five months old, so hopefully he or she will make a public debut before too long, and we will learn a bit more.

The Hagenbeck polar bear enclosure. - my photo

Happy Mother's Day to all the polar bear mothers. I hope to visit Crystal and her little family one day very soon, and maybe make a trip to Hamburg to see Victoria and her offspring too.

Farewell to Nika

Nika, such a beauty

We lost Nika today. She spent most of her life in Karlruhe, where she had a good life, with sand and grass in which to roll, and good friends with whom to play. 

Today was her 19th birthday.

Nika

Some time ago, she injured her right back leg, and the wound would not heal. She would lick and chew on it, and made it worse, even though the zoo veterinarians did everything they could to bring her back to health. Recently the infection became much worse, and she had to be euthanized. 

Nika watches over a sleeping Larissa

She  and her twin brother Lloyd were born in Vienna to Olinka and the late Eric on November 27, 2000. Nika came to Karlsruhe when she was a little over a year old, and had lived there ever since. Nika's twin brother Lloyd went to live in Bremerhaven in Zoo am Meer.

Olinka and Erik went on to have many other cubs. Olinka lives in Rotterdam, and Erik died a few years ago.

Nika and Larissa

Nika and Lloyd descended from an American family of bears. Olinka's father was Omaha, son of Olaf and Olga of the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha Nebraska.

The three bears playing in the grassy area. Nika is in the center

For most of her time in Karlsruhe, she lived with Vitus, who is the same age as Nika, and Larissa, who is a decade older. Nika and Larissa never did have cubs. It was discovered in recent years that Vitus is sterile. 

The three bears having a stand-off. Nika is at left, leading the way

The three bears got along very well, sometimes having little play fights for fun. The two girls took naps together.

The three bears

Vitus and Larissa moved to Neumunster a couple of years ago, and Kap moved in with Nika. Now Kap is all alone again.

Larissa and Nika

Nika

Nika

She was a lovely bear, and I know her keepers are heartbroken. 

We will miss you, Nika.

The three bears playing Ring around the Rosy in the sandpit,
in the glory days. Nika is at left.

Ivan, the Russian bear with a secret identity (Boris)

Ivan (Boris), der russische Bär mit einer geheimen Identität.

Boris, called Ivan in Copenhagen.

Eight year old Ivan, whose real name is Boris, was born November 12, 2005 in Moscow, and is the older brother of Rasputin, or Raspi, companion of the famous Flocke in Antibes, France. Boris now lives in the Copenhagen Zoo.

Acht Jahre alt ist Ivan, dessen wirklicher Name Boris ist, er wurde am 12. November 2005 in Moskau geboren und ist der ältere Bruder von Raspi, Begleiter der berühmten Flocke in Antibes, Frankreich.

Boris (Ivan)

Boris is also younger brother to Kap, who is now in Hannover Zoo, and older brother to young Tonja, now in Tierpark Berlin. Their parents are Murma and Untai, of the Moscow Zoo.

Boris ist auch der jüngeren Bruder von Kap, unsprünglich aus Neumünster,der jetzt im Hannover Zoo lebt, und der ältere Bruder der jungen Tonja, sie lebt jetzt im Tierpark Berlin. Ihre Eltern sind Murma und Untai, aus dem Moskauer Zoo.

Boris (Ivan)

I don't know why Boris is called Ivan in Copenhagen. Ivan the only name they know, and they have never heard him called Boris.

Ich weiß nicht, warum Boris nun Ivan in Kopenhagen genannt wird. Ivan der einzige Name, den sie kennen, und sie haben ihn noch nie Boris gerufen.

Boris

But I will call him Boris. Boris is a huge bear and now weighs 620 Kilos, which is almost 1400 pounds!

Aber ich werde ihn Boris nennen. Boris ist ein großer Bär und wiegt jetzt 620 Kilo, das sind fast 1.400 Pounds!

Boris is a huge polar bear

The new area has lots of room for the polar bears to roam.

Boris came to Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark in 2007 when he was two years old. Noel, who was a 4 year old lady bear, was already there.

Boris kam nach Kopenhagen in den Zoo im Jahr 2007, als er zwei Jahre alt war. Noel, die 4 Jahre alten Bärin, war schon da.

Boris (Ivan) plays with a rope

Boris has a concrete basin to play in, and just lounge around

Boris lounging and chewing on twigs

Noel, born December 3, 2003 in Fasano Italy, is the daughter of Marissa and the Italian Felix, and is the sister of Giovanna, Dea and another unnamed cub born in 2012. Noel moved to Copenhagen in 2005.

Noel, der 3. Dezember 2003 in Fasano Italien geboren wurde, ist die Tochter von Marissa und des italienischen Felix und sie ist die Schwester von Giovanna, Dea und einem anderen namenlosen Jungtier im Jahr 2012 geboren. Noel zog nach Kopenhagen im Jahr 2005.

Noel paces in the old enclosure next door to the new habitat

Up until last February, the two polar bears lived in a very old bear pit, but then The Arctic Ring opened. It is a magnificent architectural wonder, although I find it difficult to navigate. The new habitat is designed to give the bears plenty of places to dig and play and swim.

Bis vergangenen Februar lebten die zwei Eisbären in einem sehr alten Bärengraben, aber dann wurde *Der Arktis Ring * eröffnet. Es ist ein prächtiges architektonisches Wunder, obwohl ich finde es schwierig fand mich zurecht zu finden. Der neue Lebensraum soll den Bären viele Raum zum graben und zum spielen und schwimmen geben.

The visitor has to do a lot of walking
 between viewing windows at the Arctic Ring. The old enclosure is to the left.
The entrance to the Arctic Ring is around the building on the right.

For me, it was too much concrete, and visitors have to walk too far between viewing windows and the different areas. It has a very long spiraling tunnel down to the lower areas, and you walk through the underwater viewing tube to descend, which means that while you are watching Boris swim overhead in the tunnel, there are people walking back and forth.

Für mich war es zu viel Beton, und für die Besucher zu weite Wege zwischen Sichtfenster und den verschiedenen Bereichen zu laufen. Es hat eine sehr langer Tunnel spiralförmig bis in die unteren Bereiche und Sie gehen durch den Unterwasser-Sichttunnel zu Fuß, was bedeutet, dass, während Sie Boris beim schwimmen über ihren Köpfen beobachten in dem Tunnel, gibt es Leute, die hin und her gehen.

The entrance to the Arctic Ring

Looking across the large enclosure at Boris

A photographer from America captures Boris swimming.
 The Artic Ring has a massive swimming pool for the bears
and an incredible viewing tunnel for the visitors. 

Boris is very playful, and loves to attack his white egg ball
 while playing in the tunnel.

The amazing experience of seeing Boris swimming overhead in the underwater tube in The Arctic Ring is somewhat diminished by the walking traffic through the tube. It would be nice to be able to see the outside of this area, but it is not available to the public.

Die erstaunliche Erfahrung Boris beim Schwimmen über den Köpfen der Besucher zu sehen ist großartig, aber der Tunnelrereich ist etwas eingeengt im Arktis Ring, Es wäre schön, in der Lage sein, dieses auch außerhalb dieses Bereichs zu sehen, aber dies steht nicht der Öffentlichkeit zur Verfügung.

Boris swims for the tunnel fans.
 It is an amazing experience to watch a polar bear swimming overhead
and so close!

Boris has had the big area to himself for many months and is has been having a grand time. He has places to dig and climb, and there is a basin for dust baths, and just lounging around. 

Boris hat die große Anlage, er hat eine großartige Zeit. Er hat Plätze zu graben und auch klettern, und es gibt ein Becken für Staubbäder und oder nur Faulenzen.

Boris loves to meet his fans
. He interacts with the visitors for fun.

There was a moment when Boris stood up and lunged at some of his visitors, just to see them jump, taking great delight in the surprise. Boris is very tall, and he loves to play with the people on the other side of the glass.

Es gab einen Moment, da stand er auf und stürzte sich auf einige seiner Besucher, nur um zu sehen, wie sie weg springen,für alle eine große Freude durch diese Überraschung. Boris ist sehr groß, und er liebt es, mit den Menschen auf der anderen Seite des Glases zu spielen.

Time for a little petting through the glass

He also has spent some time banging on the door that leads to the old enclosure, knowing that Noel is on the other side and he has missed her.

Er hat auch einige Zeit damit verbracht an der Tür zu Klopfen, die zu dem alten Gehege führt, wissend, dass Noel auf der anderen Seite ist, und er sie vermisst hat.

Boris knocks on Noel's door. He misses her. 

Noel enjoys a swim in the old enclosure

Pretty Noel in the old bear pit

Since the zoo thought Noel might be pregnant this fall, they had isolated her from Boris by moving her back to the old enclosure. She has been in and out of the birthing den, and there is a camera in the den. The keepers think she is easily agitated, and may have been pregnant in previous years but could not keep it. They wanted to keep her calm, so the two bears have been separated since August or September. It appears that there is no cub this year, but Noel's sister Giovanna has had twin cubs in Munich. Maybe next year.

Da der Zoo dachte Noel vielleicht in diesem Herbst schwanger sein könnte von Boris, weshalb man sie zurück in das alte Gebäude isoliert hatte. Sie hat sich zurück gezogen, war auch in der Wurfbox gewesen, und es befand sich eine Kamera in der Höhle. Die Pfleger hofften das Beste und sie sei schwanger, in den Jahren zuvor konnte sie aber den Nachwuchs nicht behalten. Sie wollten sie ruhig halten, deshalb waren die beiden Bären seit August oder September getrennt. Es scheint, dass es keine Jungtier in diesem Jahr gibt, aber Noel's Schwester Giovanna hat Zwillinge in München zur Welt gebracht. Vielleicht gelingt es im im nächsten Jahr.

Noel

In the new habitat, I did not see a public mother-cub enclosure or a way to divide the large area. and I am not sure where the zoo plans to put Noel if she were to give birth. Maybe Boris might go back into the old enclosure area, so the mother and cub can have the big area.

Im neuen Eisbärenbereich habe ich nicht gesehen, ob es eine öffentliche Mutter-Nachwuchs Gehege oder einen Möglichkeit, um die große Fläche zu teilen. Und ich bin mir nicht sicher, wo der Zoo plant, Noel unterzubringen, wenn sie Nachwuchs bringen würde.

Noel

For now, it looks like Boris and Noel will be together in the wonderful new Arctic Ring again, sharing swimming games over the tunnel, and happy to be together again.

Vielleicht könnte Boris wieder in die alte Gehegebereich gehen, so dass die Mutter und Jungtier die große Fläche haben können.