The last days of Koluk

 

Koluk two weeks ago

When visitors enter ABQ Biopark in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first thing they see is a huge marquee photo of polar bear brothers Kiska and Koluk above the entrance gate.

Above the ticket taking booths at ABQ Zoo, the polar bears greet you.

Now news has come that one of those gorgeous bears, Koluk, has passed away.

When I visited ABQ Biopark in Albuquerque two weeks ago, I couldn't guess that one of the twin brother bears I had come to see would be gone so soon.

I had planned to wrote a piece on my visit to the bear brothers in the desert, and I still will do that, but sadly, I must write a farewell to Koluk, the most handsome of polar bears. 

Kiska is front, Koluk in back

Koluk and Kiska were born in Salt Lake City in November of 1996, so they were both getting up there in years, but both of them looked pretty hefty and healthy for male bears of 26 years. However, I could tell that something was up with Koluk, for his fur, usually green with algae from all his swimming, was white. He hadn't been in the water for quite awhile. His movements were slower. He kept to himself. He was just not his fun-loving self.

Koluk's fur was white, not its usual algae green.

 Koluk spent much more time behind the scenes than his twin brother. While Kiska was out and about and having fun, Koluk had hidden himself away much of the time. Even when the keeper threw the special daily treat of Rainbow Trout into the water, Koluk didn't want to wade in to retrieve it. But wade in he did, with a complaining look, and got the fish.

Koluk did wade in a bit to get the rainbow trout.

Koluk then retreated onto dry land to shake off and eat his prize.

Koluk, always the swimmer, would rather remain on shore during his final weeks. Kiska still dives right in.

I spent four days at the zoo, and on Monday, May 15, I waved goodbye to the the polar bear brothers, wondering if this would be the last time I would see Koluk, for I suspected he wasn't well.

The brothers on Mother's Day, under a brilliant sky. Koluk on the left.

I told the keeper, whom I had met last year, that I was worried about Koluk. He had slowed down so much, was staying out of sight mostly, and hadn't been in the water at all, which was not like him. She said that Koluk had shown some behavior changes for the past couple of weeks, but the changes were pretty recent and hopefully he should  get back to normal and be fine. 

Koluk

But on Friday, May 19, Koluk underwent an examination while under anesthesia, and the vets found that he had advanced liver and kidney failure. During the next week, they did what they could, but his health declined faster than expected, and he was released from this life on Friday, May 26.

He and his twin brother came from the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City to Albuquerque when they were just ten months old, so they have lived in the zoo in the desert for a quarter of a century.

Their mother was Chinook, descended from Bruno and Hilda of the Memphis Zoo, and as such they are related to a good number of European bears descended from CW, daughter of Bruno, her daughter Ilka, and Freedom, her granddaughter. Kiska and Koluk's father was Andy, descended from Becky and Herman Jr. of the Buffalo Zoo. 

 The ABQ Biopark Zoo (then the Rio Grande Zoo) enclosure was new when they came, has a lower pool and upper pool, as well as a waterfall and slide, which the bears would sometimes climb up.

Koluk in the water, as was his usual habit, last summer.

The brothers swimming together in June of 2022.

In their early days in ABQ, their young niece Anoki, daughter of their sister Aurora, came to live with them for awhile too. She is now living in Rochester NY, where she was born.

Koluk in the water, Kiska on shore, in June of 2022.

Koluk and Kiska were brothers of the late Anana of Buffalo, Brookfield, Cincinnati and Detroit, and half brothers of the late Aurora, and also Denali who lives in Japan and is father of eight cubs there. They were uncles of Luna of the Buffalo Zoo (daughter of Anana), and also Lee, Anoki, Peyton and Haley, children of Aurora.

Koluk was a handsome bear, with a magnificent head. He was chosen by Joel Sartore for his photographic Animal Ark, featured in National Geographic. 

He was playful all his life, and even sometimes threw balls and other toys over the fence to the visitors.

Koluk playing with balls, last summer.
 He was always one to have fun with his toys.

In 2019 he was diagnosed with a heart murmur. After that, when it was fish throwing time, the keepers would invite Kiska to do his cliff dive, but Koluk was restricted to getting his fish at ground level.

 

The last photo I took of Koluk (in back) on May 15. Eleven days later he was gone. Right after the fish throw, Koluk retreated into the bedroom area, all worn out. That's Kiska in front, ready for more adventures.

Kiska and Koluk are much like that other pair of twin brothers, Neil and Buzz in Como Zoo in St. Paul Minnesota, about a year older than Kiska and Koluk, together all their lives. When Buzz died a few years ago, Neil was alone, but before too long, an older lady bear named Nan moved in, and then three year old Kulu came along, and Neil was not alone any longer. Maybe a companion can be found for Kiska. If not, Kiska will be just fine on his own.

During my four days at the zoo, I noticed that Kiska had, in a sense, already moved on and was behaving independently. He did take note of his brother, and they spent some time together, mostly in the front cave area in the morning, eating breakfast together, enjoying the polar bear chow spread out for them with extra fruits and vegetables.  But Kiska spent his days in fun activities, tossing and destroying a barrel, swimming in the deep pool, doing his seven step pacing dance on the ledge (although not as much as he used to). Koluk sometimes came out to watch, but mostly stayed inside.

The polar bear brothers have been a big part of the ABQ Biopark Zoo for a quarter century, and Koluk will surely be missed by his many fans and friends, and especially by his keepers, who loved him dearly. 

Rest in Peace, big guy.

Adieu to Rizzo

Beautiful Rizzo

Word has come from the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City. Utah, that their 19 year old single polar bear lady Rizzo is on the final days of her journey. She is suffering from kidney failure, and they are taking care of her behind the scenes, keeping her comfortable in the time she has left. She has had trouble keeping food down and is lethargic, the keepers report. A medical examination showed renal failure. (Update: she died on Saturday, April 8).


Nachrichten kommen aus dem Högle Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah, dass die 19 Jahre alte Eisbärin Rizzo am Ende ihres Lebens angelangt ist. Sie leidet unter Nierenversagen, und man ist sehr besorgt um sie, kümmert sich um sie im Inneren der Anlage-versucht es ihr komfortabel zu machen solange es noch geht. Sie hat Schwierigkeiten zu fressen, ist lethargisch,so wird von den Tierpflegern berichtet. Eine medizinische Untersuchung ergab Nierenversagen. (Update: Sie starb am Samstag, 8. April).

Snacktime at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Rizzo has always known how to get the best treats

Cheerful Rizzo has made friends and brought a lot of joy to people over the years. She is so good natured, sweet, and very people-oriented. Kids love her and she loves kids.


Die gutgelaunte Rizzo hat sich viele Freunde gemacht und brachte so vielen Besuchern Vergnügen während all der Jahren. Sie hat ein gutes Wesen, ist lieb und sehr auf Menschen fixiert. Kinder lieten sie und sie mochte Kinder gern.

Rizzo (at left) cuddles her tire. Little One and Berit are nearby

Little One on the left, Berit and Rizzo on the other side of the log

 Rizzo's parent were Becky and Herman Jr. Rizzo was born in the Buffalo Zoo on December 10, 1997, and when she was just one year old, she was moved to the Cincinnati Zoo, where she lived until five years ago.  In Cincinnati, she shared her home with another female, Berit, and with male Little One.


Rizzo wurde am 10. Dezember in 1997 im Buffalo Zoo geboren, und mit nur einem Jahr kam sie in den Zoo von Cincinatti, wo sie dann bis vor fünf Jahren lebte. In Cincinatti war sie mit einer weiteren Eisbärin namens Berit zusammen, und dem Eisbären Little One.

Rizzo faces off with Little One at the Cincinnati Zoo

Rizzo, left, and Berit curl up for a nap

 She spent her days in Cincinnati watching Berit swim her laps, napping in her favorite nook, and looking for children through the windows. It has been noted that in any power struggle, she was at the bottom of the three, but she never really cared about that.

 Sie verbrachte ihre Tage damit Berit beim Schwimmen ihrer Runden zu beobachten, in ihrer Lieblingsecke ein Nickerchen zu machen und durch die Fenster die Kinder zu beobachten. Man konnte bei Machtkämpfen beobachten dass sie immer die Kürzere zog, aber das hat sie wenig gekümmert.

Berit in back, Rizzo in front

In spring of 2012 she was moved to the brand new polar bear habitat called Rocky Shores at Hogle Zoo. There was talk about a male polar bear joining her there, but there shortage of polar bears in U.S. zoos has only gotten worse, and it never happened.


Im Frühling des Jahres 2012 kam sie dann in die neu erbaute Anlage Rocky Shores im Hogle Zoo. Gerüchte besagten ein männlicher Eisbär würde ihr Gesellschaft leisten, aber die Knappheit an männlichen Eisbären in den Zoos in USA hatte sich verschlechtert, somit ist es nicht dazu gekommen.

Rizzo, like a cuddly snowball

Rizzo

Rizzo has always been a beautiful, fluffy round snowball of a bear, with a pretty face and a delicate way about her. At the Cincinnati Zoo, she was best friends with another female bear, Berit, and they would often take naps curled up together, which is something I have rarely seen with other bears. They also lived with that older boy bear, Little One, but neither Rizzo nor Berit had any cubs. Berit as moved to Wisconsin, and the Cincinnati Zoo is now trying Little One with Rizzo's niece, Anana. So far, they are not getting along. Keeper have told me that as far as a love connection, Rizzo was Little One's favorite.


Rizzo war immer eine schöne, runde und flauschige Schneeballbärin, mit einen hübschen Gesicht und eine ganz besondere Art an ihr. Im Cincinatti Zoo war ihre beste Freundin die andere Eisbärin namens Berit, und sie nahmen häufig zusammen gekuschelt ein Schläfchen, was ich selten so mit anderen Eisbären gesehen habe. Sie lebten gemeinsam mit dem älteren Eisbärenmann namens Little One, aber weder Rizzo noch Berit hatten jemals Nachwuchs von ihm. Berit lebt nun in Wisconsin, und man versucht nun Little One mit Annana zu verpaaren. Bislang kommen sie noch nicht miteinander klar. Die Tierpfleger berichten, das eine Liebesbeziehung anders aussähe, und Rizzo war Little One's Favoritin. 

Rizzo, with her little back paw turned up

I always noticed the way Rizzo liked to sit, with her back foot tucked under to the side and turned up. She seemed to be so ladylike.


Ich habe immer bemerkt die Art wie Rizzo zu sitzen pflegte, die Hinterpfote auf der Seite aufgerichtet. Sie sah immer sehr Damenhaft aus,

Rizzo watches, while Berit swims at the Cincinnati Zoo.
 After she moved to a zoo by herself, Rizzo became quite the swimmer.

At the Cincinnati Zoo, Berit had taken over the big pool, and Rizzo did not swim nearly as much while there, for Berit was in charge. When Rizzo moved to her new home at the Hogle Zoo, she could do whatever she wanted, and she became quite a swimmer, enjoying the beautiful chilled deep pool and playing with children who came up to the glass. She probably enjoyed being the only polar bear at Rocky Shores. 

Rizzo is sister to the late Arthur, also famously known as Arturo, who had moved to Argentina. There were many petitions and protests about his situation, but he ended up living to a ripe old age.



Im Cincinatti Zoo hat Berit den großen Pool erobert,und Rizzo schwamm dort auch sehr selten, das war Berits Bereich. Als Rizzo dann in den Hogle Zoo verlegt wurde konnte sie tun was ihr beliebte, sie wurde eine recht gute Schwimmerin, genoss den tiefen, gekühlten Pool und bespielte die Kinder,die sich an den Fenstern aufhielten.Möglicher Weise genoss sie es die einzige Eisbärin in Rocky Shore zu sein.


Rizzo ist die Schwester vom verstorben Arthur,auch bekannt als Arturo, der nach Argentinien verlegt wurde. Es gab viele Petitionen und auch Proteste wegen seiner Situation, aber er erreichte trotz allem ein sehr hohe Alter.

Rizzo's pretty sister Snowflake
 at SeaWorld San Diego

 Another younger sister, Snowflake, looks just like Rizzo, round and fluffy and so pretty. She has lived most of her life at SeaWorld San Diego, but spends some breeding seasons in Pittsburgh, where she is right now, with her nephew Koda, who is the son of Snowflake and Rizzo's late brother Kavek. So far, no cubs. Cranberry in Denver is also a niece. 


Eine weitere junge Schwester von Rizzo namens Snowflake sieht genau so aus-rund und flauschig und so schön. Sie verbrachte die meiste Zeit ihres Lebens in Sea World San Diego, einige Male aber während der Paarungszeit auch in Pittsburg, wo sie momentan ist, gemeinsam mit ihrem Neffen Koda,welcher der Sohn von Snowflake ist und dem verstorbenen Bruder von Rizzo namens Kavek. Bislang gibt es keinen Nachwuchs. Cranberry in Denver ist ebenso eine Nichte von ihr.

Anana, Rizzo's neice, is now living at the Cincinnati Zoo,
but things are not going so well with Little One.

Another brother Andy, who died in 2003 in Hogle Zoo, is the father of Snowflake and Rizzo's niece Anana. Anana, who was born in Hogle Zoo, has just moved in with male polar bear Little One at Rizzo's old home, the Cincinnati Zoo. Andy's sons, twin brothers Kiska and Koluk, were also born in Hogle Zoo, and now live in Arizona. 


Ein weiterer Bruder Andy, der in 2003 im Hogle Zoo verstarb war der Vater von Snowflake und Rizzo's Nichte Anana. Anana, die im Hogle Zoo auf die Welt kam wurde gerade mit Eisbär Little One in Rizzo's alter Heimat, dem Cicinatti Zoo zusammen gebracht. Andy's Söhne, die Zwillinge Kiska und  Kaluk, waren auch im Hogle Zoo geboren, sie leben nun in Arizona.

Rizzo famous smile

The Hogle Zoo's facebook page is now filled with tributes to beautiful Rizzo. Since moving to Salt Lake City, Rizzo has been a favorite at the zoo. Her playful personality has won many fans and friends. She loved to play peek-a-boo and jumping jacks, and was always ready to pose for photos with her many visitors. The announcement of Rizzo's serious illness has broken many hearts, and her keepers especially must treasure the memories of times with this special lady.


Die Hogle Zoo Facebook Seite ist nun gefüllt mit Nachrufen an die wunderschöne Rizzo. Seit sie in Salt Lake City ankam war sie Favorit des Zoos dort. Ihre spielfreudige Art hat viele Fans und Freunde gewonnen. Sie liebte es sich zu verstecken und für die Besucher zu posieren. Die Bekanntgabe seitens des Zoos ,dass Rizzo ernsthaft erkrankt ist hat vielen das Herz gebrochen,und besonders die Tierpfleger werden ihre Erinnerungen an diese Lady bewahren.

Rizzo

I regard Rizzo as the prettiest polar bear I have ever had the pleasure to photograph, and one of the sweetest in personality. I have even had shirts made with her photo. I have missed her since she moved from Cincinnati, but was happy to hear of the good time she was having at Hogle Zoo, being so independent. She will be greatly missed by many.  


Ich betrachte Rizzo als die schönste Eisbärin, die ich zu meiner Freude fotografieren durfte, und eine der süssesten Persönlichkeiten. Ich habe mir auch einige T-Shirts mit ihrer Aufnahmen drucken lassen. Seit sie den Zoo von Cincinatti verlassen hat vermisse ich sie sehr, war aber zufrieden,dass es ihr im Hogle Zoo so gut ging, und sie so unabhängig war. Sie wird von vielen schmerzlich vermisst werden.

Rizzo in her favorite sleeping nook at the Cincinnati Zoo.
 After Rizzo left, Berit missed her friend, and started sleeping there.

Many may not realize how rare polar bears are in our zoos. We only have 51  polar bears (plus three cubs in Columbus) in 30 U.S. zoos. And Rizzo was the most beautiful.

Viele werden gar nicht wissen, wie rar Eisbären (Und drei Eisbären Babys in Columbus) in unseren Zoos sind. Wir beherbergen nur 51 Eisbären in 30 US Zoos. Und Rizzo war die Schönste von ihnen.

Rizzo is known for her playful attitude with children.
 Until her recent illness, she was always ready
to play games with the little ones.

Thank you to Marga Andresen Gransow for the German translation.

Snowflake and her family

Snowflake und ihre Familie

Snowflake

On my visit to San Diego SeaWorld in California a few weeks ago, I met the beautiful Snowflake, a fluffy round 19 year old polar bear lady. 

Bei meinem Besuch in San Diego SeaWorld in Kalifornien vor ein paar Wochen traf ich die schöne Snowflake, eine flauschige, rundliche 19-jährige Eisbär Dame.

Snowflake

She shares her home with the German lady bear Szenja, also 19 years old.

Sie teilt ihr Gehege mit der deutschen Eisbärin Szenja, ebenfalls 19 Jahre alt.

Szenja in front, watches Snowflake

SeaWorld had been hoping that last year's trip for these two bears to the Pittsburgh Zoo would result in cubs this spring. Tests revealed that Snowflake did not get pregnant, and Szenja either miscarried or had a false pregnancy. The male at the Pittsburgh Zoo is 10 year old Koda, who is also Snowflake's nephew. I really don't know why Snowflake is being sent to mate with a male bear who is so closely related.

SeaWorld hatte gehofft, dass die im vergangenen Jahr für diese beiden Bären an den Pittsburgh Zoo gemachte Reise dazu führen würde, dass sie in diesem Frühjahr Nachwuchs bekommen würden. Tests aber ergaben, dass Snowflake nicht schwanger wurde, und Szenja entweder eine Fehlgeburt erlitt oder eine Scheinschwangerschafthatte. Das Männchen am Pittsburgh Zoo ist der 10 Jahre alten Koda, der auch Snowflakes Neffe ist. Ich weiß wirklich nicht, warum Snowflake dort hin geschickt wurde, um mit einem männlichen Eisbären, der mit ihr so eng miteinander verbunden ist sich auch noch paaren zu sollen.

Snowflake

Snowflake was born in Buffalo on November 28, 1995, daughter of Becky and Herman Jr., and moved to SeaWorld Orlando Florida when she was a year old. The next year Snowflake moved to SeaWorld San Diego. About that time, two German bears arrived at SeaWorld San Diego. Charly came from Hamburg, and Szenja came from Wuppertal. Sadly, the beloved Charly died in 2012 at the age of 16. Charly's mother was Fanny of Gelsenkirchen Zoo, who died only a few months ago at the age of 35, believed to be the oldest polar bear in the world. One of the staff I talked to said how fond they were of Charly, and they were heartbroken when he died. He had a big personality and was very popular. Charly's sister Victoria still lives at the Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg.

Snowflake wurde in Buffalo am 28. November 1995 als Tochter von Becky und Herman Jr. geboren und zog nach SeaWorld Orlando Florida, als sie ein Jahr alt war. Im Jahr darauf zog Snowflake nach SeaWorld San Diego. Zu dieser Zeit kamen auch zwei deutsche Eisbären in SeaWorld San Diego an. Charly kam vom Hamburger Tierpark, und Szenja kamen aus der Wilhelma in Wuppertal. Leider starb der geliebte Charly im Jahr 2012 im Alter von 16 Jahren. Charly war der Vater von Fanny im Gelsenkirchen ZOOM, die erst vor ein paar Monaten im Alter von 35 gestorben ist, und als die älteste Eisbärin der Welt betrachtet wurde. Einer der Angestellten; mit dem ich sprach sagte, wie sehr sie von Charly angetan waren und es ihnen das Herz brach, als er starb. Der Eisbär hatte eine große Persönlichkeit und war sehr beliebt. Charlys Schwester Victoria lebt immer noch im Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg.

Snowflake has a pretty smile all the time

Snowflake has a fascinating family. Her parents had four other cubs.

Snowflake hat eine faszinierende Familie. Ihre Eltern hatten vier anderen Jungtiere.

Twins Arthur and Kavek were born November 23, 1985. Arthur, also known as Arturo, has gained some fame for his sad life in the Mendoza Zoo in Argentina, which has a tropical climate. There have been petitions and other efforts to bring him to a better situation, but his age and ill health would make it very dangerous.

Die Zwillinge Arthur und Kavek wurden am 23. November 1985 geboren. Arthur, auch als Arturo genannt ist sehr bekannt, er fristet sein trauriges Leben im Mendoza Zoo in Argentinien, wo es ein tropisches, sehr heißes Klima gibt. Es gab Petitionen und andere Bemühungen, ihn einer besseren Situation zu bringen, und zu verlegen, aber wegen seines Alter und Krankheitsbedingt wäre es sehr gefährlich, ihn in ein anderes Land zu verschicken.

Arturo moved to the Denver Zoo and then almost immediately to the Fresno Zoo when he was a year old. He lived at the Fresno Zoo until 1993, when he moved to Argentina, where he lived for decades with his lovely mate Pelusa. Pelusa was born in Karlsruhe Germany in 1980 during the time of many cubs at that zoo, and was half-sister to the late Anton of Wilhelma. Pelusa came to Mendoza when she was less than a year old, spent most of her life with Arturo, and died in 2012 at the age ripe old age of 32. The pair never did have cubs. Arthur continues to live in Mendoza. Experts say that he would probably not survive the relocation, and efforts are being made to make him more comfortable in Argentina.

Arturo zog in den Denver Zoo und dann recht kurz danach sofort in den Fresno Zoo, er war gerade ein Jahr alt. Er lebte im Fresno Zoo bis 1993, als er nach Argentinien umziehen mußte, wo er Jahrzehnte mit seiner schönen Partnerin Pelusa lebte. Pelusa wurde in Karlsruhe Deutschland im Jahr 1980 geboren, während dieser Zeit sind viele Jungtiere in diesem Zoo geboren und Pelusa war die Halbschwester des späten Anton aus der der Wilhelma. Pelusa kam nach Mendoza, als sie weniger als ein Jahr alt war, verbrachte die meiste Zeit ihres Lebens mit Arturo und starb 2012 im Alter reifen Alter von 32. Das Paar hatte nie Nachwuchs. Arthur lebt auch weiterhin in Mendoza. Experten sagen, dass er wahrscheinlich die Verlagerung überleben würde, und somit werden Anstrengungen unternommen, es ihm so komfortabler wie nur möglich in Argentinien zu machen.

Snowflake's nephew Koda of the Pittsburgh Zoo.
 Photo by Andrew King

Arthur's twin brother Kavek died in 2009 in the Pittsburgh Zoo. Kavek was the father of Cranbeary of the Denver Zoo and Koda, who now lives in the Pittsburgh Zoo.

Arthur Zwillingsbruder Kavek starb im Jahr 2009 im Pittsburgh Zoo. Kavek war der Vater von Cranbeary aus dem Denver Zoo und Koda,diese lebt heute im Pittsburgh Zoo.

Anana - niece of Snowflake - lives at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago

There was another brother, Andy, who was born in 1989 in Buffalo, and sadly died in Salt Lake City's Hogle Zoo after eating a glove. Andy and Chinook were the parents Buffalo/Brookfield's Anana (mother of Luna), as well as twins Kiska and Koluk who now live together in Arizona.

Es gab noch einen Bruder, Andy, der 1989 in Buffalo geboren war und nach dem Verzehr einer Handschuh leider im Salt Lake City Hogle Zoo gestorben ist. Andy und Chinook waren die Eltern Buffalo / Brookfield Anana sowie Zwillinge Kiska und Koluk die jetzt in Arizona leben.

Snowflake

Snowflake looks exactly like her younger sister Rizzo, who was born December 10, 1997 in Buffalo. Rizzo spent many years at the Cincinnati Zoo with two other bears, and now lives alone in newly built polar bear enclosure at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Snowflake sieht genauso aus wie ihre jüngere Schwester Rizzo, die am 10. Dezember 1997 in Buffalo geboren wurde. Rizzo verbrachte viele Jahre im Zoo von Cincinnati mit zwei anderen Eisbären, und lebt jetzt im Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sie lebt allein in einer neu gebauten Eisbärenanlage.

Rizzo, sister of Snowflake, also smiles a lot

Rizzo sits with her back foot coyly flipped, 
just like her sister Snowflake.

 

During my visit, I watched Snowflake sit and smile, look pretty for the camera, walk around for a bit, then disappear back inside, where she had been hiding for most of the day while Szenja was out swimming and playing. 

Ich beobachtete Snowflake, sie sitzt und * lächelt *, hübsch aussehen für die Kamera, sie läuft ein wenig herum, dann verschwindet sie wieder nach drinnen, wo sie sich dann für die meiste Zeit des Tages zurück zieht, während Szenja draußen war zum Schwimmen und Spielen.

Snowflake, sitting like sister Rizzo

Snowflake has a habit of sitting with one of her back feet turned out, as her sister Rizzo often does.

Snowflake hat die Angewohnheit sich auf eines ihrer Hinterbeine zu setzen und es zu verstecken, so wie ihre Schwester Rizzo es oft tut.

Szenja sits by the pool at SeaWorld San Diego

The enclosure at SeaWorld San Diego is not very big, but it has a wonderful deep diving pool with a great viewing window for visitor.

Das Gehege in der SeaWorld San Diego ist nicht sehr groß, aber es hat einen wunderbares tiefes Tauchbecken mit einem großen Sichtfenster.

Snowflake

I wonder if these girls will go visit a polar bear male in another zoo again this year. It doesn't look like they will be getting another male at SeaWorld anytime soon. There just aren't enough polar bears to go around anymore.

Ich frage mich, ob diese Eisbär Mädchen in diesem Jahr wieder zu Besuch zu einem Eisbärmann in einem anderen Zoo verbracht werden. Es wird in der nächsten Zeit wohl keinen männlichen Eisbären in der Sea World SanDiego geben, da es momentan keine passenden Partner in den USA für die weiblichen Eisbären gibt.

Szenja (front) watches her friend Snowflake

Next time, I will tell Szenja's story.

Das nächste Mal werde ich die Geschichte von Szenja erzählen.

Thank you, Marga Andresen Gransow, for the German translation.