Hope is up, Nora is down, headed to the pool. |
Hope and Nora at play in Salt Lake City |
I visited polar bear cubs Hope and Nora in Salt Lake City in October to check up on these girls that I had known as young cubs and were now almost three years old. I am so glad these girls are together. Neither one had another cub to play with when she was younger. Now they have been together for over a year, and the keepers say they have become good friends.
Hope in Toledo at about a year old |
Hope and her mother Crystal |
Nora in Columbus |
Nora at the Columbus Zoo, during her hour long outings each day. |
Nora in Columbus, trying to catch a fish. She sometimes succeeded |
Hope in Toledo |
Nora in Columbus |
Baby Nora |
Nora after her debut in Columbus |
The late Nanuq, in the center, with twin sisters Aurora and Anana |
Nora in Columbus |
Nora in her favorite spot in the Hogle Zoo pool |
Because the pool in Hogle Zoo is filled with salt water, and the cubs splash a lot, the windows by the pool are always dreadfully spotty, making it hard to get good clear photos. And almost all of the windows are over water.
Hope chasing a bird at the Hogle Zoo |
When the girls arrived in Salt Lake City, Hope was 100 pounds heavier than Nora. Now, a year later, their weights have evened out. In November, the time of Nora's party, Hope weighed in at 593 pounds, and Nora was up to 571 pounds.
Hope charges after Nora, wanting to play |
How do you tell the girls apart? They are about the same size now, but they have differently shaped bodies. Nora is rounder, and Hope is more streamlined. Nora has a square snout, and Hope has a longer pointed snout.
Hope has the pointy nose |
Keepers say that Nora is more people oriented, which is only natural because she was raised by her keepers, and looks to humans.
Nora |
The best way to tell them apart is by their activities and where they choose to spend their time.
Nora |
Nora is very interested in the fish given to her neighbors, the seals and sea lions. Maybe she got a taste for the live fish in her pool in Columbus. Maybe her joints feel better when she is floating in the water.
Nora watching the seals and sea lions |
Nora on the hunt |
Nora pulls herself up to get a better view |
Hope has rolled in the mulch and gotten dirty, walking along the top of the wall. Nora is in the water. |
Hope on the wall, Nora on the ground |
Hope and Nora together in the water, for a minute or two. It doesn't last long. |
The zoo put on a birthday party for Nora with the theme Rainbows and Unicorns on November 6. It is on the zoo's facebook page so you can watch the girls party. The link is posted below. Of course Hope got some treats too. Then in December, there was another party for Hope as she turned three years old.
Hope |
Nora licks a rock |
A photo of Nora's party, taken from the computer. |
The bears were treated to ice treats, topped with salmon oil, for Nora's party. |
Nora and Hope at the birthday party |
Nora enjoys a treat at the party, photo taken from video broadcast on facebook. |
Dear Molly
ReplyDeleteHope has grown up to a lovely young polar lady.
Nora also looks very pretty. Thank you for the
beautiful shots of the bears and the review of
their life as kids.
Greetings
Chris
P.S. I wish you a peaceful year 2019 !
I love Polar Bear girls so much. Hope and Nora looks a great pair. Thank you for always giving us such great background briefing.
ReplyDelete