Farewell to Berlin

 

Berlin in the Como Zoo, shortly after she was rescued from the
Duluth Flood at the Lake Superior Zoo

Berlin in snow, winter of 2012-13 in Como Zoo.

She was a lovely bear, who could have told some incredible stories about her adventures if she could speak.

Berlin has left us, at the age of 33. She spent her last years at the Kansas City Zoo, where she was a well loved resident, known for her cheerful, fun-loving spirit.

                                             Berlin loved to play with balls

Along the way she lived with a longterm boyfriend, got to spend quality time with some relatives in Minnesota, and was companion to three different bears in the Kansas City Zoo. She even took up the hobby of gardening while in KC.

In a facebook post today, the Lake Superior Zoo posted about the loss of Berlin:

Director of Animal Management at the Lake Superior Zoo, Lizzy Larson said, “I was one of Berlin's caretakers for 3 years and the thing that I will remember most about Berlin was how incredibly smart she was. Everything Berlin did, had a purpose. She could solve every puzzle we gave her and I never found a toy she didn't like! I will fondly remember how enthusiastically she would jump into her pool to play. She has had the best care at all the facilities she's had the chance to live at and I know that she has touched countless hearts in her 33 years of life. We will all be mourning her loss."

In Lake Superior Zoo, Berlin liked to toss a ball back and forth with visitors. She is fondly remembered by many for her fun-loving ways.

Berlin and her twin brother Yukon were born December 11, 1989 in the Cincinnati Zoo. Berlin was named for current events in Germany, the fall of the Berlin Wall. The twins' parents were Connie (Amy), who was granddaughter of Olaf and Olga of the Omaha Zoo, and Icee, who was born in Louisville. Berlin and Yukon were the only cubs ever born and raised at the Cincinnati Zoo. Connie and Icee had no other cubs.

Yukon moved to Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester YN, and died in 2008, but did father four cubs with Aurora there: Anana now in North Carolina, Haley now in Memphis, Lee now in Louisville (and the father of Kulu), and Anoki now in her birthplace of Rochester again. Berlin never did have any cubs, but spent much of her earlier life with Bubba, who was Aurora's brother.

When she was just a year old, Berlin moved north from Cincinnati to the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth Minnesota. She was soon joined by a male of the same age named Bubba, who was a charismatic, playful and entertaining bear.   

Bubba and his twin sister Aurora were born in the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City in November of 1989, and their parents were mother Chinook and father Cheechacko.  When Bubba died of liver failure at the young age of 17 in August of 2007, the Lake Superior Zoo even had a "celebration of life" for this beloved icon. Berlin became even more active and playful without Bubba there.

Life was just about perfect for Berlin in Duluth, until the Great Flood of June 21, 2012. When nine inches of rain fell in Duluth in just a few hours, some low areas of the zoo, which was built along a river, were deluged. Two harbor seals, Feisty and Vivian, escaped into the city streets. A dozen animals drowned. Berlin's enclosure was flooded and broken. At 5 a.m., she was found sitting on a rock near her home, waiting to be rescued. She was darted and safely moved to a secure location, but her enclosure was destroyed. Berlin was homeless.

A few hours drive to the South, Berlin's uncles Neil and Buzz had some extra room in their newly rebuilt home at the Como Zoo in St. Paul, so Berlin was invited to move in. After a month's required quarantine, Berlin was introduced to Neil and Buzz, a couple of laid back twin brothers, somewhat younger than Berlin. Berlin's father Icee was older brother to Neil and Buzz.

                                              Berlin and her Uncle Buzz

                                       

The reunited family got along just great. Neil and Buzz allowed their niece Berlin to be the boss. Berlin again thought that she was in the perfect place. She had wonderful big pools in which to swim, piles of snow, lots of toys, and two other bears who let her be in charge. My daughter Corinna visited the bears and took some of the photos featured here. 

                 Berlin, right, with one of her uncles peeking out

Six months after the flood, Berlin was sent to Kansas City to be companion to an active, playful young male named Nikita, who was only 6 years old but had lived in Kansas City for a couple of years already, so it was his territory. He was the boss. Nikita was the star of the Kansas City Zoo.  Nikita wanted Berlin to play with him, but she would have none of it. Nikita, the son of Nan and Marty, was big and bold and young and full of energy and clearly dominant. Berlin mostly avoided him.

Berlin

For the next three years, the bears lived together, but Berlin would keep to the side, and let Nikita be the star, always with a wary eye watching out for him. I used to watch them on the bears' webcam, and noticed that we didn't see the two bears together. Then in January of 2016, the popular Nikita was moved out in the dark of night. He went to Asheboro, North Carolina to be with a young girl bear, Berlin's niece Anana (daughter of brother Yukon). Nikita's fans in Kansas City were crushed. They complained that now only the boring old lady bear was left, and she was no fun. (Nikita is now in Salt Lake City).

                                                       Berlin on patrol

For the next few weeks after Nikita's departure, Berlin keep looking around, thinking that her arch-nemesis might not really be gone. If she came across a toy that he had played with and still smelled like Nikita, she wanted nothing to do with it. Gradually, she realized that she was gloriously alone again, and she became more active, more playful, even at her advanced age of 27.

                                Berlin diving for a pear in KC

It was after Nikita left that Berlin took up gardening. She was given a melon to eat, and carefully planted a seed, which grew into a fine plant and produced a melon, which Berlin let grown until it reached the perfect state of ripeness, then she picked and ate her harvest.

                                                             Berlin the gardener

I visited her in 2017, and marveled at how active she was, even at her age. She was quite the swimmer too, retrieving various fruits and vegetables that the keepers threw into the pool. 

                                          Berlin waits for the keeper 

                            to throw some more goodies into the pool. 

                                          Berlin diving for snacks

In 2018, another senior lady bear of about the same age, Fanny (better known as Bam Bam), moved in from the Henry Doorly Zoo in nearby Omaha.  The old ladies' club lasted about a year, and then Berlin's new friend Bam Bam passed away.

In late 2020, four year old Nuniq, born in Columbus Ohio, moved in, and Berlin could play grandmother to the youngster.

Now with the loss of Berlin, Nuniq is alone in that roomy grassy habitat. 

Berlin was well loved by her keepers, and as a playful bear, she had many fans who visited her. Berlin, at age 33, was the second oldest polar bear in human care in the world, the oldest being the famous dwarf bear Antonia in Gelsenkirchen Germany, just two weeks older.

Berlin was a special bear, and will be greatly missed.

Thanks to my daughter Corinna Troth for the photos of Berlin at the Como Zoo. 

Berlin plants and harvests her little garden

Berlin enjoys the greenery in her garden

Berlin is a bear of many talents. She has recently become a gardener in her lush Kansas City Zoo yard.

Berlin roams around the yard

 Last spring, Berlin was given one of her favorite melons as an enrichment treat. She ate the melon, and then carefully and seemingly intentionally planted the seeds in the grassy area. All summer, the vines grew, and small green cantalope appeared. Berlin's keepers watched and wondered if and when she would pick the fruit. The melon grew larger.

Berlin is queen of her castle now that Nikita has left

Berlin was very patient, and one day in mid August, she decided that the melon smelled ripe, so she picked it, and ate it all.

Berlin has a the magnificent enclosure all to herself now

One of Berlin's keepers told me this gardening story when I visited in late August. They were amazed at Berlin's patience, only picking the melon when it was indeed ripe.

Berlin dives for and picks up a pear. 

Like other polar bears, Berlin loves fruit. On the day I visited, she enjoyed an underwater picnic of pears, sweet potatoes, apples and fish.

All for me, she says

Berlin and her twin brother Yukon were born December 11, 1989 in the Cincinnati Zoo. Berlin was named for current events in Germany, the fall of the Berlin Wall. The twins' parents were Connie (Amy), who was granddaughter of Olaf and Olga of the Omaha Zoo, and Icee, who was born in Louisville. Berlin and Yukon were the last cubs born at the Cincinnati Zoo. Connie and Icee had no other cubs.

Yummy sweet potato

Yukon died in 2008, but did father four cubs with Aurora in Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester NY: Anana now in North Carolina, Haley now in Memphis, Lee now in Denver and Anoki now in Baltimore, Maryland. Berlin never did have any cubs, but spent much of her earlier life with Bubba, who was Aurora's brother.

Having a snack

When she was just a year old, Berlin moved north from Cincinnati to the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth Minnesota. She was soon joined by a male of the same age named Bubba, who was a charismatic, entertaining bear. Berlin was always on the sidelines. Bubba was very bossy too, and Berlin felt bullied. 

Bubba and his twin sister Aurora were born in the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City in November of 1989, and their parents were mother Chinook and father Cheechacko.  When Bubba died of liver failure at the young age of 17 in August of 2007, the Lake Superior Zoo even had a "celebration of life" for this beloved icon. Berlin, however, was much happier on her own, and became more active and playful without Bubba there.

Berlin

After Bubba died, life was just about perfect for Berlin in Duluth, until the Great Flood of June 21, 2012. When nine inches of rain fell in Duluth in just a few hours, some low areas of the zoo, which was built along a river, were deluged. Two harbor seals, Feisty and Vivian, escaped into the city streets. A dozen animals drowned. Berlin's enclosure was flooded and broken. At 5 a.m., she was found sitting on a rock near her home, waiting to be rescued. She was darted and safely moved to a secure location, but her enclosure was destroyed. Berlin was homeless.

Berlin in the Minnesota snow at the Como Zoo in St. Paul.
 (photo by Corinna Troth)

A few hours drive to the South, Berlin's uncles Neil and Buzz had some extra room in their newly rebuilt home at the Como Zoo in St. Paul, so Berlin was invited to move in. After a month's required quarantine, Berlin was introduced to Neil and Buzz, a couple of laid back twin brothers, somewhat younger than Berlin. Berlin's father Icee was older brother to Neil and Buzz.

Berlin and her Uncle Buzz (photo by Corinna Troth)

The reunited family got along just great. Neil and Buzz allowed Berlin to be the boss. Berlin again thought that she was in the perfect place. She had wonderful big pools in which to swim, lots of toys, and two other bears who let her be in charge. It didn't last long, however.

Berlin in the training area at the Como Zoo. (Photo by Corinna Troth)

Six months after the flood, Berlin was sent to Kansas City to be companion to an active, playful young male named Nikita, who was only 6 years old but had lived in Kansas City for a couple of years already, so it was his territory. He was the boss. Nikita was the star of the Kansas City Zoo.  Nikita wanted Berlin to play with him, but she would have none of it. Nikita was big and bold and young and full of energy and clearly dominant. Berlin mostly avoided him.

Berlin's ball

For the next three years, the bears lived together, but Berlin would keep to the side, and let Nikita be the star, always with a wary eye watching out for him. She rarely played. Then in January of 2016, the popular Nikita was moved out in the dark of night. He went to Asheboro, North Carolina to be with a young girl bear, Berlin's niece Anana (daughter of brother Yukon). Nikita's fans in Kansas City were crushed. They complained that now only the boring old lady bear was left, and she was no fun.

Berlin on patrol

For the next few weeks after Nikita's departure, Berlin keep looking around, thinking that her arch-nemesis might not really be gone. If she came across a toy that he had played with and still smelled like Nikita, she wanted nothing to do with it. Gradually, she realized that she was gloriously alone again, and she became more active, more playful, even at her advanced age of 27.

Berlin with a sweet potato in one paw and a blue ball in her mouth,
 can't decide if she want to eat or play

 Kansas City Zoo visitors now see an energetic curious bear, playing games, swimming and diving, exploring, and having fun. Polar bears are solitary animals in the wild, and Berlin is happy to have that solitude back again. She can live in peace again.

Berlin spots a fish on the bottom of the pool

Caught a fish!

  Maybe next spring she will plant another garden.  

Planning next year's garden?

 

Berlin

  

Thanks to my daughter Corinna Troth for the photos of Berlin at the Como Zoo. And thanks to Ulli Joerres for the research on Bubba.

Neil and Buzz get their space back

Neil in water, and Buzz on land

17 year old brothers Neil and Buzz are looking forward to finally having their bachelor pad all to themselves, after several years of hosting flood refuge bears at the Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota.

17-jährige Brüder Neil und Buzz freuen uns, endlich mit dem Junggesellen nach Hause, um sich, nach mehreren Jahren der Hosting-Flut Zuflucht Bären.

Two of the Minot Bears at Como Zoo.
They tore up the grass with their long claws.

 First Neil and Buzz had to play host to three brown bears, Goldie, Sandie and Judy, from the flooded Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, North Dakota when that zoo was devastated by spring floods in June of 2011. The brown bears lived in the right hand enclosure, and Neil and Buzz lived in the left hand side, with still plenty of room.

Erste Neil und Buzz gehostet drei Braunbären, Goldie, Sandie und Judy, aus dem überfluteten Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot North Dakota, wenn das Zoo wurde im Frühjahr Hochwasser im Juni 2011 zerstört. Die Braunbären lebten in der rechten Gehäuse und Neil und Buzz lebte in der linken Seite, mit noch viel Platz.

Berlin at Como Zoo

Berlin (outside) greets Uncle Buzz

The center training area between enclosures with Uncle Buzz, Uncle Neil and Niece Berlin 

Then it got even more crowded. The Como Zoo had six bears at one time for about 6 months after 23 year old Berlin, Neil and Buzz's niece, was displaced by a flash flood in June of 2012 at the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth Minnesota, just a few hours north of St. Paul. Berlin stayed until December, when she moved to the Kansas City Zoo to be with 6 year old Nikita. Neil and Buzz loved having Berlin stay with them. The little family of three had a great time playing together. Berlin, who was much smaller, seemed to be the boss of her younger uncles.

Dann wurde es noch mehr überfüllt. Die Como Zoo hatte sechs Bären auf einmal für etwa 6 Monate nach 23-jähriger Berlin, Neil und Buzz Nichte wurde von einer Sturzflut im Juni 2012 im Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth Minnesota verdrängt, nur ein paar Stunden nördlich von St . Paul. Berlin blieb bis Dezember, wenn sie an den Kansas City Zoo zog mit 6-jährigen Nikita sein. Neil und Buzz geliebt hat Berlin mit ihnen zu bleiben. Die kleine Familie von drei hatten eine tolle Zeit zusammen spielen. Berlin, die viel kleiner war, schien der Chef ihrer jüngeren Onkel sein.

Spring is here. The water is cleaned out,
 and grass is beginning to grow back
 in the right hand enclosure.
The Minot bears have been gone since January.

The brown bears finally were able to return to their Minot home zoo in January. Since their departure, the Como Zoo staff has cleaned out the deep diving pool and filled it with fresh water. They have repaired and landscape the area in the right hand enclosure destroyed by the long claws of the Minot Zoo guests.

Die Braunbären schließlich konnten in ihre Heimat Zoo im Januar zurück. Seit ihrer Abreise hat der Como Zoo Personal aus den tiefen Tauchbecken gereinigt und gefüllt mit frischem Wasser. Sie haben repariert und Landschaft der Region in der rechten Gehäuse.

Neil waits by the door to the right hand enclosure, hoping it will open soon

Neil and Buzz miss Berlin, but they will be very happy to get their diving pool back from the brown bears. Neil has been scratching on that door, hoping it will open any day now. Since moving into their new habitat, Neil and Buzz had preferred the right hand enclosure. After seeing Neil and Buzz live for almost two years in the left side, the zoo staff is curious to see which side the boys will prefer now.

Neil und Buzz verpassen Berlin, aber sie werden sehr glücklich sein, ihre Sprungbecken zurück zu bekommen. Neil hat auf dieser Tür kratzen, in der Hoffnung es öffnet jetzt jeden Tag. Seit dem Umzug in ihre neue Heimat, hatte Neil und Buzz die rechte Gehäuse bevorzugt. Nachdem ich Neil und Buzz seit fast zwei Jahren in der linken Seite zu leben, ist der Zoo Personal neugierig zu sehen, auf welcher Seite die Jungs jetzt lieber.

Buzz - the smaller brother, but he is the dominant bear

Buzz is looking for treats in an old bucket

Buzz is still looking for treats....

Buzz finds a box of goodies

Buzz puts on his brown bear disguise by rolling in the dirt...

then it is time for a nap.

Neil jumps and surprises one of the young visitors

Their favorite food is frozen lard.
Here, Neil and one of his keepers have a nice talk while she feeds him lard sticks.

Neil plays with a barrel, making it squirt water out of a hole.

Berlin begins another adventure!

Berlin in the December Minnesota snow.

This has been an exciting year for Berlin the polar bear. You could write a book about it.

 

These photos are courtesy of my daughter Corinna, who lives near the Como Zoo. 

Ein interessantes Jahr für Berlin der Eisbär. Diese Fotos sind mit freundlicher Genehmigung von meiner Tochter Corinna, die in der Nähe des Comer Zoo lebt.

Berlin carries a"bone" at the Como Zoo. It's enrichment!

It's another new chapter for Berlin the polar bear. Wow! Now she can look forward to beginning a hot romance with a much younger gentleman in Kansas City. After 22 years in chilly Minnesota, she has just arrived at the Kansas City Zoo to begin a relationship with Nikita, an attractive young male bear many years younger than she is.
 

 Es ist ein neues Kapitel für Berlin der Eisbär. Wow! Jetzt freuen sich auf den Beginn einer heißen Romanze mit einer viel jüngeren Mann in Kansas City. Nach 22 Jahren im kalten Minnesota, hat sie nur an der Kansas City Zoo gekommen, um eine Beziehung mit Nikita, eine attraktive junge männliche Bären viele Jahre jünger als sie beginnen.
 

Berlin has been a bit dirty since her surgery,
 and she has been reluctant to take a bath in the pool.

Her life has been like a soap opera lately. Berlin the polar bear had been living happily in Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth Minnesota for 22 years until a sudden flood took away her world on June 6, 2012. Her enclosure was flooded so she swam for higher ground and politely waited for rescue. Her zookeepers tranquilized her and brought her to the Como Zoo in St. Paul, a few hundred miles away. Her enclosure at the Lake Superior Zoo had been ruined and needed a lot of work.
 

Ihr Leben ist wie eine Seifenoper in letzter Zeit. Berlin der Eisbär war glücklich leben in Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth Minnesota für 22 Jahre, bis eine plötzliche Flut nahm ihre Welt am 6. Juni 2012. Ihr Gehäuse wurde überflutet, so dass sie für die höheren Boden schwamm und höflich warteten auf Rettung. Ihre Tierpfleger betäubt sie und brachte sie zum Como Zoo in St. Paul, ein paar hundert Meilen entfernt. Ihrem Gehege am Lake Superior Zoo war ruiniert und brauchte eine Menge Arbeit.
 

Berlin greets her Uncle Buzz at the Como Zoo.
They got along just great!

Hello, Uncle Buzz!

After 30 days of quarantine, and lots of love and care from her new keepers, Berlin was introduced to twin brothers Neil and Buzz, the fun-loving bears who live at the Como Zoo.. Neil and Buzz were already sharing their deluxe quarters with three brown bears from Minot, North Dakota, who had been flooded out of their home in the summer of 2011. Neil and Buzz have been limited to living in the left half of their dream domain for the past 18 months. And now Berlin comes along.
 

Nach 30 Tagen der Quarantäne, und viel Liebe und Sorgfalt aus ihrem neuen Hüter, wurde Berlin zum Zwillingsbrüder Neil und Buzz, die fun-loving Bären, die am Como Zoo leben eingeführt. Neil und Buzz schon teilen ihre deluxe Quartale mit drei Braunbären aus Minot, North Dakota, die die aus ihrer Heimat war im Sommer 2011 überschwemmt. Neil und Buzz haben das Leben in der linken Hälfte ihres Traumes Domain für die letzten 18 Monate beschränkt. Und jetzt Berlin kommt.

Berlin

Berlin's keepers in Duluth were sorry to see her leave, but happy that she could experience some social fun with Neil and Buzz. The huge Como Zoo bear complex is just a couple of years old, and Neil and Buzz are a lot of fun to play with.
 

Berlin's Tierpfleger in Duluth waren traurig, sie gehen zu sehen, aber glücklich, dass sie konnte einige soziale Spaß mit Neil und Buzz erleben. Die riesige Como Zoo bear-Komplex ist nur ein paar Jahre alt, und Neil und Buzz sind eine Menge Spaß zu spielen.

Berlin and her Uncle Neil at the Como Zoo

The twin brothers had spent several years in the Detroit Zoo, while they were waiting for their new quarters at the Como Zoo to be built. While in Detroit, they really hit it off with a young girl bear named Talini. They played and played and played, and the brothers were sorry to leave their friend when it was time to go home to St. Paul.
 

Die Zwillingsbrüder hatte mehrere Jahre in der Detroit Zoo, während sie für ihre neue Wohnung warteten am Como Zoo gebaut werden. Während in Detroit, sie wirklich traf es mit einem jungen Mädchen Bären namens Talini. Sie spielten und spielten und spielten, und die Brüder waren traurig, ihren Freund zu verlassen, wenn es an der Zeit, nach Hause zu gehen, um St. Paul war.

Uncle Buzz, Uncle Neil, and their lovely niece Berlin at the
 Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Neil and Buzz enjoyed their wonderful new Como Zoo home in its entirety until the Minot, North Dakota, flood in the spring of 2011. The Roosevelt Park Zoo was under four feel to water for months and some of the animals needed a place to live. When Goldie, Judie and Sandy Brown Bears came to live at Como, they required half of the new polar bear enclosure. Neil and Buzz lost access to their deep diving and fishing pool.
 

Neil und Buzz genossen ihre wunderbare neue Como Zoo Hause in seiner Gesamtheit bis Minot, North Dakota, Hochwasser im Frühjahr 2011. The Roosevelt Park Zoo war unter vier Gefühl, um Wasser für Monate und einige der Tiere brauchten einen Ort zum leben. Wenn Goldie, Judie und Sandy Brown Bears bei Como leben kamen, verlangten sie die Hälfte der neuen Eisbärenanlage. Neil und Buzz verloren den Zugang zu ihrem tiefen Tauchen und Angeln Pool.
 

When asked how she liked the flood in Duluth,
 Berlin gives a little sneer. Maybe 2013 will be better.

And since Berlin has arrived in St. Paul, Berlin and the twin brothers have gotten along fine. Berlin may have been smaller, but she ended up bossing around Neil and Buzz, but they didn't mind a bit.
 

Und jetzt Berlin angekommen ist. Berlin und die Zwillingsbrüder haben gut zurecht gekommen. Berlin kann kleiner gewesen sein, aber sie endete bossing rund Neil und Buzz, aber sie hatte nichts dagegen, ein bisschen.

Berlin has enjoyed all the fun at the Como Zoo,
 including lots of enrichment activities.

Then Berlin started acting strangely in October, and her keepers knew there was a problem. Berlin had to have emergency surgery to remove some dead tissue. Maybe from an injury during her flood experience?

 

Dann Berlin begann seltsam zu benehmen im Oktober, und ihre Hüter wusste, dass es ein Problem gab. Berlin musste eine Notoperation haben, einige abgestorbene Gewebe zu entfernen. Vielleicht von einer Verletzung während ihrer Flut Erfahrung?

Berlin, enjoying the Minnesota snow.

She has recovered nicely, but now has a new challenge. The people in charge of matchmaking among polar bears have decided that Berlin is still young enough to have cubs, and deserves a chance to have a family. Neil and Buzz were neutered years ago so the brothers that they could stay together. So where would Berlin go to find a handsome young bear?
 

Sie hat schön, erholt, aber hat jetzt eine neue Herausforderung. Die Verantwortlichen des Matchmaking unter Eisbären haben beschlossen, dass Berlin immer noch jung genug, um Jungen zu haben, und verdient eine Chance, eine Familie zu haben. Neil und Buzz wurden schon vor Jahren so die Brüder, dass sie zusammen bleiben kastriert. Also wo wäre Berlin gehen, um einen stattlichen jungen Bären zu finden?
 

Berlin, waiting for the next chapter in her exciting life.

A young bear, Nikita, in the Kansas City Zoo, had been living the bachelor life for a time, and would like to find a lady. Even a lady much older than he is. So Berlin has received an invitation to pack her bags and move once again.
 

Ein junger Bär, Nikita, in der Kansas City Zoo, lebte der Junggeselle Leben für eine Zeit, und möchte eine Dame zu finden. Auch eine Dame viel älter als er ist. So Berlin hat eine Einladung an ihre Taschen packen und wieder empfangen.

 

Uncle Neil and Niece Berlin at the Como Zoo

Berlins' life has been fairly routine up until the flood. She was born in the Cincinnati Zoo on December 11, 1989, and was named Berlin for the excitement of the fall of the Berlin Wall in that time period. She is, I believe the last cub born in the Cincinnati Zoo to date.

Berlins Leben war ziemlich Routine bis zur Flut. Sie wurde in der Cincinnati Zoo am 11. Dezember 1989 geboren und erhielt den Namen Berlin für die Aufregung der Fall der Berliner Mauer in diesem Zeitraum. Sie ist, glaube ich, das letzte Jungtier im Cincinnati Zoo bisher geboren.

 

Berlin is a very pretty bear. Nikita will love her.

Berlin the cub stayed at the Cincinnati Zoo until she was a year old, and then moved to Duluth, where she enjoyed 22 calm years of no adventures whatsoever. And then the second half of 2012 arrived and her whole world changed. She endured a flood, an escape, and a move to another zoo, where she ended up living with friendly long-lost relatives, her uncles Neil and Buzz. Then there was a life-threatening illness, surgery and recovery, and now, a move to still another zoo where she will meet up with a lusty young boy bear.
 

Berlin das Junge übernachteten im Cincinnati Zoo, bis sie ein Jahr alt war, und zog dann nach Duluth, wo sie genossen 22 ruhige Jahre ohne Abenteuer überhaupt. Und dann die zweite Hälfte des Jahres 2012 angekommen und ihre ganze Welt verändert. Sie ertrug eine Flut, eine Flucht, und ein Umzug in einen anderen Zoo, wo sie landeten leben mit freundlicher lange verlorenen Verwandten, ihrem Onkel Neil und Buzz. Dann gab es eine lebensbedrohliche Krankheit, Operation und Genesung, und jetzt, ein Schritt, noch einen anderen Zoo, wo sie treffen wird mit einem kräftigen Junge Bär.
 

 

What next, Berlin?

Her mother was Connie, granddaughter of Olaf and Olga of the Omaha Zoo, and her father was Icee, the brother of her current roommates Neil and Buzz. Icee was born in 1983, and Neil and Buzz were born in 1995, 12 years later, in the Louisville Zoo. But these younger twin brothers are really Berlin's uncles. Yes, really. Neil and Buzz are Berlin's younger uncles.
 

Ihre Mutter war Connie, Enkelin von Olaf und Olga von Omaha Zoo, und ihr Vater war Icee, der Bruder ihrer aktuellen Mitbewohner Neil und Buzz. Icee wurde 1983 geboren, und Neil und Buzz wurden im Jahr 1995 geboren, 12 Jahre später, im Louisville Zoo. Aber diese jüngeren Zwillingsbrüder sind wirklich Berlin Onkel. Ja, wirklich. Neil und Buzz sind Berlin jüngerer Onkel.
 

 

Uncle Buzz and Uncle Neil

Now the newly united family has been separated again, as Berlin moves to Kansas City to a beautiful new enclosure. She has been visited regularly by her former keepers from Duluth, but now that will come to an end too. Berlin was expected to move south before Christmas to the fabulous bear enclosure at the Kansas City Zoo.
 

Jetzt die neu vereinte Familie wurde wieder getrennt nach Berlin zieht nach Kansas City zu einem schönen neuen Gehege. Sie wurde regelmäßig von ihrem früheren Tierpfleger aus Duluth besucht, aber jetzt, zu einem Ende zu kommen. Berlin erwartet wurde, nach Süden vor Weihnachten in die fabelhafte Bärengehege bewegen sich die Kansas City Zoo.

Uncle Buzz says he misses his niece Berlin already.
 She was a fun little playmate!

Berlin and Nikita will live in an awesome Arctic adventure area called Polar Bear Passage, which is nearly 10,000 square feet and customized for polar bear living. It includes a 140,000-gallon pool and a 105-ton sand box complete with grassy and diving areas. The bears enjoy a fantastic behind-the-scenes apartment with three bedrooms and a mother-cub area.
 

Berlin und Nikita wird in einer atemberaubenden Arctic Adventure Gebiet namens Polar Bear Passage, die fast 10.000 Quadratmeter ist und maßgeschneidert für Eisbären leben leben. Es umfasst eine 140.000-Liter-Pool und eine 105-Tonnen-sand box komplett mit Gras-und Tauchgebiete. Die Bären genießen Sie einen fantastischen Blick hinter die Kulissen Wohnung mit drei Schlafzimmern und einem Mutter-cub Bereich.

 

Nikita, 6 years old, was born November 21, 2006 in Toledo to parents Nan and Marty. He was part of the triple polar bear cub bonanza that year in Toledo. His father Marty also fathered Aurora and Anana (now at the Columbus Zoo) with Crystal. Nikita is also the grandson of Arki and brother of Siku, both now at the Louisville Zoo.
 

Nikita, 6 years old, was born November 21, 2006 in Toledo to parents Nan and Marty. He was part of the triple polar bear cub bonanza that year in Toledo. His father Marty also fathered Aurora and Anana (now at the Columbus Zoo) with Crystal. Nikita is also the grandson of Arki and brother of Siku, both now at the Louisville Zoo.
 

A new chapter begins
 in the life of Berlin the Polar Bear Lady

There is a new webcam at the Kansas City Zoo to follow the adventures of Nikita, and of course Berlin when she finally arrives and comes out of quarantine. There may be some May-December romance this spring in Kansas City.

Here is the link to Nikita's home:
 

http://www.kctv5.com/category/244581/nikita-polar-bear-cam

Es gibt eine neue Webcam am Kansas City Zoo, um die Abenteuer von Nikita und natürlich Berlin, wenn sie endlich kommt und kommt aus der Quarantäne zu folgen. Es kann einige Mai-Dezember Romanze in diesem Frühjahr in Kansas City.

Hier ist der Link zu Nikita zu Hause:

http://www.kctv5.com/category/244581/nikita-polar-bear-cam

All the best to Berlin and her new boyfriend, the young Nikita. Maybe we will see cubs next year?
 

Alles Gute für Berlin und ihr neuer Freund, der junge Nikita. Vielleicht sehen wir Jungen im nächsten Jahr?
 

 

Thank you, Corinna, for your wonderful photographs of Berlin, Neil and Buzz at the Como Zoo.