Mother Ilka is no more

Ilka and one of her twins

Ilka has been gone for six months, and we didn't even know.

A friend of mine, a German polar bear blogger who had just visited Skandinavisk Dyrepark in Kolind, Denmark, relayed the information that beloved polar bear mother Ilka had passed away during the winter of 2019-20. She would have been 26 years old. Her death was not announced, but the park has since confirmed that Ilka died in December.

Ilka, cub and seaweed

 Ilka and her twin brother Nuuk were born December 2, 1993 in Kolmarden in Sweden. Their mother was American born bear C.W., daughter of Olga and Bruno, born in the Memphis Zoo in 1979. Nuuk/Nordman became the father of Freedom. Ilka and Nuuk's father was Imarek. Younger siblings were Manasse (father of Ranzo and Sisu), and twins Baffin and Yukihime, who went to Japan.

 

Ilka and her brother Nuuk

Ilka's brother Nuuk/Nordman, who died one year before

Ilka and her twins

Ilka and Nuuk came to Skandinavisk Dyrepark as it was just opening in at the end of 2006.

Ilka with Nanu and Nuno, waiting for feeding time

Nuuk/Nordman found a pal in the other young male bear, Nanook, who was mate to Ilka and father of her cubs. Nuuk died one year before Ilka, during the winter of 2018/19.

Ilka

Over the years, Ilka had given birth to cubs, but had trouble producing milk and no cubs survived. When Siku was born November 22, 2011, the park director stepped in and took over the care of the tiny cub, since Ilka again was not producing milk. Siku was raised by hand, with many photos and videos posted. You could watch him on webcam too, as he grew up. Danish Siku became an internet sensation. He still lives in the park.

Baby Siku, raised by hand, would suckle on pieces of wood

A new treatment for milk production was given to Ilka when she gave birth to Nuno and Nanu a year later, and she was able to raise the twins with no problem. When they were old enough and big enough, Siku (who was only a year older) was brought in as a playmate for the twins, and the family got along very well. 

In 2014 - Siku, Nuno and Nanu playing together

The beautiful Ilka

Feeding time. Ilka and the cubs would line up and wait.

Siku is still there, as well as Nuno, the girl, who remains at Skandinavisk Dyrepark. Her twin Nanu, who spent some time with older bear Felix in Leuwaarden, the Netherlands, is now in Parc Zoo du Reynou, France, with another young male bear.

Ilka and her daughter Nuno

Ilka and Nanu, waiting for food

Ilka and Nuno

Nuno, Ilka and Nanu at feeding time

Ilka was 26 years old. She was a lovely bear, a good mother.

Ilka and her twins in 2014

Mother Ilka with Nanu and Nuno

Family

Farewell to Nuuk - Nordman

Nuuk

 We have lost dear Nuuk, who was originally named Nordman when he was born in Sweden.

Skandinavisk Dyrepark in Kolind Denmark posted yesterday that Nuuk had died sometime this winter, possibly related to a flu-like illness. He was 25, a senior bear.

Nuuk

 He will be greatly missed by his dear friend and constant companion Nanok. Except during breeding season, when Nanok was with Nuuk's twin sister Ilka, the two male bears were almost always together.

The park had some wistful parting words on the loss of Nuuk, saying that "Nuuk always had his own opinion about the course of things. The rest of the polar bear residents had great respect for Nuuk, and it was not something he needed to enforce. They moved completely by themselves when he came walking. Nuuk will definitely be missed."

Nuuk

 Long before Nuuk was born, Kolmarden Zoo in Sweden had opened in 1965.  The polar bear habitat opened in 1968, at the time one of the largest in the world with six polar bears. 

Twins Nordman and Ilka were born December 2, 1993 in Kolmarden. Their father was Imarec, and their mother was C.W., an American-born bear.

Nuuk's brother, the late Manasse, who lived in Ranua Finland, was father of Ranzo and Sisu. Nuuk was also brother to the late Yukihime of Yokohama; and Baffin who lives with daughter Momo in Hamamatsu Zoo. Through his father Imarec, Nuuk was half brother to Marissa in Italy, and the famous actress polar bear Agee in Canada.

And of course through his sister Ilka, Nuuk was uncle to Siku, Nuno and Nanu.

Nanok left, Nuuk right

 Nuuk's mother C.W. and her twin brother Elvis were born in the Memphis Zoo  in Tennessee, USA, and were brought to Europe when they were just a year old. Since Elvis had a musical name, my guess is that the initials C.W. might mean Country Western. The late Elvis became the father of the Osnabruck hybrid bears Tips and Taps. Taps still survives and lives in that same German zoo.

In 1998, 5 year old wildborn cub Huggies came from Ouwehands Zoo, Rhenen, the Netherlands, to Kolmarden. Huggies became acquainted with handsome young Nordman, as he was called at the time. The result was a beautiful cub, Freedom, born December 1, 2001,  When baby Freedom was just three months old, Huggies and the cub returned to the brand new polar bear exhibit at Ouwehands.

Nuuk's daughter Freedom and her cubs in Ouwehands

In January of 2006, 12  year old twins Nordman and Ilka moved from Kolmarden, and at the same time, four year old Nanok, born in Belgium, came from Ouwehands to Skandinavisk Dyrepark. The three were the new park's first polar bear residents, finding themselves in a spacious and natural polar bear paradise.

The bridge over the lake at Skandinavisk Dyrepark

Skandinavisk Dyrepark is unlike any other zoo. The visitors can watch the bears romp and play in huge meadows and a magnificent meandering wooden footbridge provides a close but safe vantage point to view the big furry residents as they swim in the lake.

Nanok in water, Nuuk on land

In Denmark, Nordman was renamed Nuuk. It seems that someone decided Nuuk's breeding days were over so he was neutered, maybe so the boy bears would get along better. 

Young Nanok had been brought to the park from Ouwehands as a mate for Ilka, and as a friend for Nuuk. The boys really hit it off and the relationship continued right up until Nuuk's death.

Ilka in water, Nuuk on land

 Nanok and Ilka have had three cubs, Siku, and twins Nuno (girl) and Nanu (boy). Nanu has moved to the Netherlands, but Siku and Nuno are still in the park, along with Mother Ilka, and a Russian bear named Boris, sometimes called Ivan. With the loss of Nuuk, there are five polar bears in the park.

Through his daughter Freedom, Nuuk left quite a legacy as  grandfather to Sprinter (now in Hanover), Sesi (in Mulhouse France), Taiko (in France), Akiak (in Rostock) and Sura (still in Ouwehands), and great grandfather to Miss Nanuk in Mulhouse.

Nanok

Since Nuuk's mother C.W. was born in Memphis, Nuuk was related to some of our American bears. C.W.'s half sister, born in Memphis, was Chinook, later of Salt Lake City's Hogle Zoo.  Chinook was mother of the late Aurora of Rochester, Anana currently of Cincinnati, and Kiska and Koluk of Albuquerque. Nuuk's aunt Chinook is also grandmother to Luna (Buffalo), Anoki (Rochester), Lee (Columbus), Anana (North Carolina) and Hayley (Memphis).

Nuuk's aunt Chinook was also mother of Denali, born in the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, who now lives in Japan. Denali is quite the favorite at the Sapporo Zoo and the father of eight cubs.  

It's sad to say goodbye to such a lovely bear. He had a good long life in a beautiful place, and had the companionship of his best friend all those years. He will be missed by so many, especially his pal Nanok. 

Farewell, Nuuk.

Siku's "Auntie" Smilla has left us

Lady Smilla, beloved  "auntie" to young Siku

Lady Smilla has died suddenly yesterday at the Scandinavian Animal Park in Kolind Denmark. She was 23 years old. Although she acted well and ate normally in her last days, it was discovered that she had died of a severe liver tumor.

Lady Smilla hat plötzlich gestern im skandinavischen Tierpark in Kolind / Dänemark gestorben. Sie war 23 Jahre alt. Obwohl sie normal verhielt und auch immer Appetit auf ihr Fressen hatte in ihren letzten Tagen, es wurde dann entdeckt, dass sie an einem schweren Lebertumor gestorben ist.

Smilla, above, became a mentor and companion to to polar bear cub Siku,
 who was raised by keepers

She was born in Budapest, and named Lady. She spent 20 years there in an old fashioned concrete enclosure. Three years ago, she came to Denmark and was renamed Smilla. She was not used to grass and space and other bears, and had a habit of pacing back and forth.

Sie wurde in Budapest geboren und man nannte sie dort Lady. Sie verbrachte 20 Jahre in einem altmodischen Betonboden Gehege. Vor drei Jahren kam sie nach Dänemark und wurde in Smilla umbenannt. Sie war nicht gewohnt auf Gras zu laufen und die Weite und anderen Bären machten sie ängstlich, und sie hatte lange die Angewohnheit hin und her zu laufen.

Smilla spent many months in a more private area
 at Scandanvian Animal Park

 The park staff tried to introduce her to the other polar bears, but she retreated to a corner and would not respond, even to food. So she spent her time alone in a secluded private grassy area with a pool.

Das Park Personal versuchte, sie den anderen Eisbären vorzustellen, aber sie zog sich in eine Ecke zurück und reagieren nicht, auch nicht auf auf Futter als Lockmittel. So verbrachte sie ihre Zeit allein auf einer abgelegenen privaten Grünfläche mit Pool.

A sign in 2012 explains Smilla's history (in Danish).  From this point on the bridge walkway, we could see Smilla in the distance.

Smilla's private yard.
 Young Siku spent his nights in the same barracks,
and the two bears got to know each other.

Young Siku was kept in the same area during the night, and he and Smilla became friendly.

Junge Siku wurde in der gleichen Gegend in der Nacht gehalten, und er und Smilla freundeten sich an.

The elderly bear Smilla, in foreground, shared space with Siku,
 in back, and taught the young bear how to behave like a polar bear.

 Later on, Siku and Smilla would share the same enclosure, and she taught him how to be a polar bear. They played together and ate near each other.

 Später, Siku und Smilla teilten sich das das gleiche Gehege, und sie hatte ihn gelehrt, wie man ein Eisbär sein muss. Sie spielten zusammen und fraßen in der Nähe von einander.

Smilla relaxes by the pool in September of 2013

Last fall, Siku was reunited with his mother Ilka and made friends with his little brother and sister. Smilla was alone again, but she probably enjoyed the peace and quiet. The park had planned to introduce Smilla to the family of bears very soon, but she is gone now.

Im vergangenen Herbst wurde Siku mit seiner Mutter Ilka wieder zusammen gelegt und freundete sich mit seinen Geschwister an. Wieder war Smilla allein, aber sie hat wahrscheinlich die Ruhe genossen. Der Park hatte geplant, Smilla zu der Familie der Bären sehr bald vorzustellen, aber nun ist sie für immer weg.

Smilla in September, 2013

It is sad that she had to spend her first 20 years in a concrete zoo, but she was able to enjoy three years on the grass, and had many happy days with Siku. Smilla will be missed.

Es ist traurig, dass sie ihre ersten 20 Jahre in einem Betonboden Zoogehege verbringen mußte, aber sie war in der Lage drei Jahren auf dem Rasen zu genießen, und hatte viele glückliche Tage mit Siku. Smilla wird uns fehlen.

Auntie Smilla was a very good influence on young Siku.
 She leaves a legacy in Siku.

Lady Smilla will be missed

The joys and heartbreak of 2013

Die Freuden und Herzschmerz 2013

Ilka's twins in Skandinavisk Dyrepark in Denmark

Suka and Sakari in Toledo

2013 was the year we met some wonderful polar bear cubs, but we also lost some great legends in the polar bear world. Here are the cubs who made their debut in zoos in the U.S.A and in Europe.

Luna and Kali in Buffalo

2013 war das Jahr, wo wir einige wunderbare Eisbärjungen trafen, aber die Welt verlor mit den Eisbären auch einige große Legenden. Hier sind die Jungen, die ihr Debüt gaben in Zoos in den USA und in Europa.

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Luna and Kali

In the United States, we were happy to welcome Luna to the world in December of 2012. She is the daughter of Luna and Nanuq and was born November 27, in the Buffalo Zoo, where she was soon the only polar bear in the zoo. Her father Nanuq went to live in the Columbus Zoo, and her mother Anana did not take care of her daughter, and was sent to live in the Brookfield Zoo. The Buffalo Zoo had plans to tear down the old bear pits and build a wonderful new polar bear habitat, The Arctic Edge. One of the keepers raised Luna, and when the cub was old enough, she made her public debut.

A few months later, she was joined by Kali, a wildborn cub whose mother had been shot by a hunter in Alaska. Kali spent several months in the Alaska Zoo and then flew to Buffalo where he joined Luna in play. The cubs are a very popular pair at the zoo, and they have helped with fund raising for the new polar bear exhibit too.

Luna und Kali

In den Vereinigten Staaten, waren wir froh, Luna im Dezember 2012 begrüßen zu dürfen. Sie ist die Tochter von Luna und Nanuq und wurde 27. November geboren, im Buffalo Zoo, wo sie bald der einzige Eisbär im Zoo war. Ihr Vater ging zu Nanuq in den Columbus Zoo, und ihre Mutter Anana konnte nicht sich um ihre Tochter kümmern und wurde umgesiedelt, um im Brookfield Zoo leben. Der Buffalo Zoo hatte Pläne, die alten Bärengräben abreißen und bauten eine wunderbare neue Eisbär Anlage * The Arctic Edge *. Einige der Pfleger versorgten Luna, und als das Junge alt genug war, wurde sie der Öffentlichkeit vorgestellt. Ein paar Monate später, wird sie von Kali, einem wild geborenen Eisbärjungen, dessen Mutter von einem Jäger in Alaska geschossen wurde Gesellschaft bekommen. Kali verbrachte mehrere Monate im Alaska Zoo und flog nach Buffalo, wo er sich im Spiel dann mit Luna anfreundete. Die jungen Eisbären sind ein sehr beliebtes Paar im Zoo, und werden mit Spendenaktionen für die neue Ausstellung für die Eisbären geholfen haben.

Suka and Sakari in Toledo

Suka and Sakari

The Toledo Zoo also had cubs in their fantastic polar bear home, the Arctic Encounter. Suka and Sakari were born in November 21, 2012 to Crystal and Marty. Suka is a girl, and Sakari is a boy.

Suka und Sakari

Der Toledo Zoo hatte auch Jungtiere in ihre fantastischen Eisbäranlage, der Arktis Encounter. Suka und Sakari wurden wurde am 21. November 2012 von Kristall und Marty geboren. Suka ist ein Mädchen, und Sakari ist ein Junge.

Ilka Jungen In Dänemark hatte Ilka Zwillinge 21. November 2012. im Skandinavisk Dyrepark in Kolind, Dänemark. Sie sind immer noch unbenannt. Ich denke, man ist ein Junge, un man ist ein Mädchen, aber es gibt kein offizielles Wort. Hier haben sie viel Platz zum herumlaufen . Sie können sie auf der Webcam Wild Earth sehen.

Ilka's cubs

Ilka's cubs

In Denmark, Ilka had twins November 21, 2012. at the Skandinavisk Dyrepark in Kolind, Denmark. Still unnamed. I think one is a boy and one is a girl, but there is no official word. Here they have plenty of room to roam.  You can watch them on the Wild Earth webcam.

Ilka Jungen

In Dänemark hatte Ilka Zwillinge 21. November 2012. im Skandinavisk Dyrepark in Kolind, Dänemark. Sie sind immer noch unbenannt. Ich denke, man ist ein Junge, und man ist ein Mädchen, aber es gibt kein offizielles Wort. Hier haben sie viel Platz zum herumlaufen. Sie können sie auf der Webcam Wild Earth sehen.

webcam to watch Ilka and her Twins

Nanuk and Kometa

Cora had twins in Brno Zoo in Czech Republic on November 24, 2012 and we could watch them grow up on a dencam. Nanuk is the boy and Kometa, named for the city's soccer team, is a girl. They are famous on Facebook for their many fun photos with balls, traffic cones and other toys.

Nanuk und Kometa

Cora hatte Zwillinge in Brno Zoo in der Tschechischen Republik am 24. November 2012 und wie wir beobachten konnten wuchsen sie auf von einer DenCam beobachtet und im Internet zu sehen. Nanuk ist der Junge und Kometa, nach dem Stadt -Fußball-Team benannt, ist ein Mädchen. Sie sind auf Facebook bekannt für ihre vielen lustigen Fotos mit Kugeln, Leitkegel und andere Spielsachen.

Noordje and Pixel

Dierenrijk in Nuenen bei Eindhoven in the Netherlands welcomed Noordje (boy) and Pixel (girl), born to Frimas and Henk on November 16, 2012.

Noordje und Pixel

Dierenrijk in Nuenen bei Eindhoven in den Niederlanden begrüßt Noordje (Junge) und Pixel (Mädchen), von Frimas und Henk geboren am 16. November 2012.

New cubs
Giovana's parents in Fasano Italy also had a cub on December 24, 2012, but I have no other information on this cub, who would be a year old now.

Neues Jungtier in Italien

Giovanna 's Eltern in Fasano Italien hatten auch ein Junges am 24. Dezember 2012, aber ich habe keine anderen Informationen wegen diesem Jungtier, welches nun ein Jahr alt geworden wäre.

This current birthing season we have heard about two events in Germany: Giovanna and Yoghi in Munich and their new twins, and Lloyd and Valeska in Bremerhaven with a cub. Aurora in Toronto, Canada, has given birth, and the surviving cub, named Remy, is being handraised. There is also a cub born and doing well in Talinn, Estonia.

Giovanna und Yoghi in München und ihrem Zwillinge sowie Lloyd und Valeska in Bremerhaven mit einem Jungtier. Bislang wurde aus Deutschland nur diese Eisbärjungen gemeldet.

Aurora in Toronto, Kanada, hat ein Junges geboren und das überlebende Jungtier namens Remy, wird von Hand aufgezogen.. Es gibt auch ein Jungtier, geboren und es geht ihm gut in Talinn, Estland.

We have not had news of any cubs born in U.S. zoos this winter so far, but sometimes zoos do not make that announcement until the cubs are older.

Wir haben noch nicht die Nachricht von allen Jungtieren die in US- Zoos geboren wurden in diesem Winter, aber manchmal machen Zoos nichts publik, warten auf die Ankündigung, bis die Jungen älter sind.

Farewell

This year, US zoos have lost eight beloved bears. At the end of 2013, we now have only 59 polar bears in American zoos. This includes three cubs from last winter, and rescued Kali.

Abschied

In diesem Jahr haben US- Zoos acht geliebten Bären verloren. Am Ende von 2013, jetzt haben wir nur 59 Eisbären in der amerikanischen Zoos. Dies beinhaltet drei Jungen aus dem letzten Winter, und gerettet Kali.

Alaska
Alaska, a "retired" circus bear, died in the Baltimore Zoo on January 15. Born in the wild in 1985, she was four years old when she was captured and sold into the circus. She was the first of seven bears rescued from the Suarez Mexican Circus in 2002. Alaska was 27 years old when she died, having enjoyed over ten years of "retirement." Sadly, I did not get around to visiting Alaska and some of these other special bears before we lost them.

Alaska, ein "pensionierter" Zirkus- Bär, starb im Baltimore Zoo am 15. Januar. Geboren in der freien Wildbahn im Jahr 1985, vier Jahre alt war sie, als sie eingefangen und in den Zirkus verkauft wurde. Sie war die erste von sieben Bären aus dem Suarez mexikanischen Zirkus im Jahr 2002 gerettet. Alaska war 27 Jahre alt, als sie starb, nachdem sie einen friedlichen "Ruhestand " geniessen konnte, mehr als zehn Jahren. Leider habe ich nicht die Zeit gefunden sie zu besuchen, Alaska und einige dieser besonderen Bären, bevor wir sie verloren.

Arki of the Brookfield Zoo, and later Louisville

Arki

Arki, who was born and spent most of her life in the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, died May 16 in the Louisville Zoo. She was 28 years old. Arki was the mother of Marty, Hudson and Peyton, and grandmother to Nikita, Aurora and Anana, Siku, Suka and Sakari. She was known for her special “dance” and for her love of lettuce.

Arki, die dort geboren wurde, und den größten Teil ihres Lebens im Brookfield Zoo verbrachte in Chicago, gestorben 16. Mai im Louisville Zoo. Sie war 28 Jahre alt. Arki war die Mutter von Marty, Hudson und Peyton, und Großmutter an Nikita, Aurora und Anana , Siku , Suka und Sakari. Sie war für ihre besonderen "Tanz" und für ihre Liebe von Salat bekannt.

Mishka
30 year old Mishka died May 19, at the Henry Villas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin. Mishka was born December 10, 1985, in Omaha Zoo, and leaves two surviving sisters, Bam Bam in the Omaha Zoo, and Patches, who just moved to the North Carolina Zoo. Mishka was the mother of Zero, who was born in 1989 now lives in the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester NY.

30 Jahre alte Mischka starb am 19. Mai im Henry Villas Zoo in Madison , Wisconsin. Mishka wurde am * 10. Dezember 1985 in Omaha Zoo geboren , und hinterlässt zwei überlebenden Schwestern, Bam Bam im Omaha Zoo und Patches , die nun im North Carolina Zoo lebt . Mischka war die Mutter von Zero, der 1989 geboren wurde, lebt heute im Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester NY.

Aurora - Cleveland

30 year old Aurora died August 13 in the Cleveland Zoo in Ohio. She was the granddaughter of the well known pair Olaf and Olga of the Omaha Zoo.

30 Jahre alte Aurora starb am 13. August im Cleveland- Zoo in Ohio. Sie war die Enkelin des bekannten Paar Olaf und Olga aus dem Omaha Zoo.

Gus

Gus died August 28, 2013 in the Central Park Zoo in New York City, where he spent most of his life. He was born December 10, 1985 in Toledo. He was known for his quirky personality, and his neurosis. He swam laps constantly. The zoo brought in a therapist, who recommended enrichment activities and toys, and it seemed to help. Gus had two lady companions, Lily and Ida, and he outlived both of them. He was an icon of the Central Park Zoo and it is estimated that over 20 million people visited him during his lifetime. He was 27.

Gus gestorben 28. August 2013 im Central Park Zoo in New York City, wo er den größten Teil seines Lebens verbrachte. Er wurde am 10. Dezember 1985 in Toledo geboren. Er wurde für seine schrullige Persönlichkeit und seiner Neurose bekannt. Er schwamm Runden ständig,hin und her immer wieder. Der Zoo gebracht viel Zeit mit einem Therapeuten, der Anreicherungsaktivitäten und Spielzeug empfohlen, und es schien zu helfen. Gus hatte zwei Begleiter Damen, Lily und Ida und er überlebte beide. Er war eine Ikone des Central Park Zoo, und es wird geschätzt, dass über 20 Millionen Menschen ihn zu Lebzeiten besuchten. Er wurde 27 Jahre alt.

Aquila at the Detroit Zoo.
He was also a popular guy at the North Carolina Zoo.

Aquila

Another well loved bear, Aquila, died suddenly on September 10, at the young age of 21. He had returned from the Detroit Zoo to his home in the North Carolina Zoo in April, after part of the enclosure renovations were completed. and his fans were so happy to have this playful bear back home. He died from a ruptured stomach. He had had stomach problems throughout his life, and had gone through several surgeries to correct deformities.

Eine weitere beliebte Bär, Aquila, starb plötzlich am 10. September im jungen Alter von 21 Jahren. Er kam aus dem Detroit Zoo zu seinem *Zuhause* in den North Carolina Zoo im April zurück, nachdem ein Teil der Renovierungen an der Eisbärenanlage abgeschlossen wurden. und seine Fans waren so glücklich, diese verspielten Bären zurück nach Hause haben. Er starb an einem geplatzten Bauch. Er hatte Magenprobleme in seinem Leben gehabt, und war durch mehrere Operationen gegangen, um Missbildungen zu beheben.\

Aquila was the uncle of Berlin of the Kansas City Zoo, and Berit of the Cincinnati Zoo.

 Aquila war der Onkel des Berliner Kansas City Zoo und Berit des Cincinnati Zoo.

Klondike – Sea World

Aquila's nephew Klondike, age 18, died suddenly on September 12 in his enclosure at Sea World in Florida.

Aquila Neffe Klondike, im Alter von 18, starb plötzlich am 12. September in seinem Gehege im Sea World in Florida.

The famous twins Klondike and Snow were born November 6, 1994, to the sister of Aquila, Uli, in the Denver Zoo. She did not take care of her babies, so the cubs were raised by zookeepers. The cubs moved to Sea World in Orlando Florida in November of 1995, where they happily lived together until Snow was moved to Arizona in 2012 in hopes that it would help her skin allergies. Snow died in Reid Park Zoo in Arizona last year at age 17.

Die berühmten Zwillinge Klondike und Snow geboren 6. November 1994, mit der Schwester von Aquila, Uli, im Zoo von Denver. Sie wollte sich nicht um die Babies kümmern, so wurden die Jungtiere von Tierpflegern versorgt . Die Jungen zogen nach Sea World in Orlando, Florida im November 1995, wo sie lebten glücklich zusammen, bis Snow nach Arizona im Jahr 2012 verlegt, in der Hoffnung, dass sie ihre Hautallergien kurieren könnte. Snow starb im Reid Park Zoo in Arizona im vergangenen Jahr im Alter von 17 Jahren..

Berit of the Cincinnati Zoo is the sister of Klondike and Snow.

Berit im Cincinnati Zoo ist die Schwester von Klondike und Snow.

Wilhelm, Willie, Willy
 of the North Carolina Zoo and the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Wilhelm

The famous Wilhelm also know as Willie or Willy, died October 22 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was a retired circus bear, one of those bears rescued in 2002 from the Suarez Bros. Circus from Mexico, when the bears were in Puerto Rico and under control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wilhelm was born in Copenhagen, but was sold into the circus in Germany at a young age. He and Masha, another of the circus bears came to the North Carolina Zoo, where Willy became a star. Masha died in 2007.

Der berühmte Wilhelm, auch Willie oder Willy genannt, starb am 22. Oktober in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Er war ein ehemaliger Zirkusbär, einer dieser Bären im Jahr 2002 vom Suarez Bros. Circus aus Mexiko, wo die Bären in Puerto Rico unter jämmerlichen Bedingungen lebten und unter der Kontrolle des US Fish and Wildlife Service gerettet wurden. Wilhelm war in Kopenhagen-Dänemark geboren, wurde aber in den Zirkus in Deutschland in jungen Jahren verkauft. Er und Mascha, ein weiterer der Zirkus- Bären kam ebenfalls in den North Carolina Zoo, wo Willy ein Star wurde. Masha starb im Jahr 2007.

Willy's photos have been featured in newspapers around the world. In 2011, when the North Carolina Zoo decided to make renovations in their enclosure, Wilhelm was moved to the Milwaukee County Zoo, and Aquila spent two years in the Detroit Zoo with another retired circus bear, Bärle, who had been rescued with Willy.

Die Fotos von Willy wurden in Zeitungen rund um die Welt gezeigt. Im Jahr 2011, als man im North Carolina Zoo beschloss, Renovierungen in ihrem Gehege zu machen, Wilhelm wurde in den Milwaukee County Zoo verlegt und Aquila verbrachte zwei Jahre im Detroit Zoo mit einem anderen pensionierte Zirkusbären, Bärle, die gemeinsam mit Willy gerettet worden war.

And here are some of the bears we lost in 2013 in Germany and Denmark:

Und hier sind einige der Bären, die wir im Jahr 2013 verloren in Deutschland und Dänemark:

Elvis has left the building

Elvis

We lost Elvis, who had been born in the USA in Memphis, but spent most of his life in Germany. He died June 8 in Gelsenkirchen ZOOM at the age of 33 years old. He is well known as the father of Tips and Taps, the Chocolate bear hybrids, born in Osnabruck Zoo in January of 2004.

Wir verloren Elvis, der in den USA in Memphis geboren war, er verbrachte aber den größten Teil seines Lebens in Deutschland. Er starb am 8. Juni in Gelsenkirchen ZOOM im Alter von 33 Jahre alt. Er ist bekannt als der Vater der Tipps und Taps, die Schokoladen- Bär Hybriden,die im Osnabrück Zoo im Januar 2004 geboren wurden.

Churchill of Rostock Zoo

Churchill

We also said goodbye to Churchill, patriarch of Rostock Zoo, where he fathered many cubs. He died October 26. Churchill was born in Rostock on November 28, 1979 and spent most of his life there.

Wir sagten auch Abschied von Churchill, Patriarch des Rostocker Zoo, wo er viele Jungen zeugte. Er starb am 26. Oktober. Churchill wurde in Rostock am 28. November 1979 geboren und verbrachte den größten Teil seines Lebens dort.


Churchill was the father of Boris, the only remaining member of the infamous Suarez Circus polar bears. Boris, rescued with the other six circus bears in 2002, is now happily retired in the Point Defiance Zoo in Washington state.

Churchill war der Vater von Boris, der einzige verbliebene Mitglied der berüchtigten Suarez Circus Eisbären. Boris, mit den anderen sechs Zirkus- Bären im Jahr 2002 gerettet, ist jetzt glücklich im Point Defiance Zoo im Staat Washington im Ruhestand.

Churchill was also the father, with mother Vienna, of Victoria (1996) now in Aalborg Denmark, Viktor (1998) now in Rhennen, Vitus (2000) now in Karlsruhe, Vilma (2002) who has lived in Nuremburg, Tiergarten, Wuppertal Zoo, and now is back in Rostock; and the twins Venus and Valeska (2004). Valeska just gave birth to a cub at Bremerhaven Zoo several weeks ago.

Churchill war der Vater von Boris, der einzige verbliebene Mitglied der berüchtigten Suarez Circus Eisbären. Boris, mit den anderen sechs Zirkus- Bären im Jahr 2002 gerettet, ist jetzt glücklich im Point Defiance Zoo im Staat Washington im Ruhestand.

Churchill was the grandfather of the famous Milak of the Aalborg Zoo in Denmark, and also of Anori of Zoo Wuppertal in Germany.

Churchill war der Großvater der berühmten Milak im Zoo von Aalborg in Dänemark, und auch von Anori aus dem Zoo Wuppertal in Deutschland.

We miss Miss Augo

Augo

But the saddest loss of all was when little Augo fell and shattered her front legs, and we had to say goodbye to her. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, last May 4, and she was playing and went over the edge of a trench. She was a bright star at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark. Augo was only a little more than two years old, and many hearts were broken when she died. Augo was thought to be a boy all her life, and only after she died did we learn that she was a funny little girl.

Aber der traurigste Verlust von allem war, als Augo so unglücklich abstürtze und sich beide Vorderbeine brach, wir mussten uns verabschieden, sie mußte erlöst werden. Es war ein schöner Samstagnachmittag im Mai 4, und sie spielte und sprang über den Rand eines Grabens. Sie war ein heller Stern im Zoo von Aalborg in Dänemark. Augo war nur ein wenig mehr als zwei Jahre alt, und viele Herzen wurden gebrochen, als sie starb. Man hatte gedacht dass Augo ein Junge sei bislang und nur, nachdem sie gestorben war haben wir erfahren, dass sie ein lustiges kleines Mädchen war.

We will miss all the wonderful bears we have lost this year. It has been a time of great loss in the polar bear world, but are glad that we knew these special bears.

Wir werden all die schönen Eisbären,die wir in diesem Jahr verloren haben sehr vermissen. Es war eine Zeit großer Verluste in der Eisbären Welt, wir sind aber auch dankbar, dass wir diese speziellen Eisbären kennen gelernt haben.

We were also happy to meet the beautiful cubs who made their debut this year, and look forward to watching these youngsters grow up into big happy polar bears.

Wir freuen uns auch über den Nachwuchs der Eisbärjungen, die ihr Debüt in diesem Jahr machen, und freuen uns auf diese Eisbärkinder aufzuwachsen in große, glückliche Eisbären.