Haley moves to Detroit Zoo

 

Haley in 2012 in Memphis

22 year old Haley has made the move from the Memphis Zoo, where she lived with Koda, to the Detroit Zoo, where she will live with Crystal's daughter Suka, and Koda's twin brother Nuka, in hopes that she will finally have cubs.

Haley in Memphis, 2012.

Haley was born November 15, 2002, in Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester NY. Her parents were Aurora, born in Salt Lake City to Cheechacko and Chinook, and Yukon, who was born to Connie/Amy and Icee in the Cincinnati Zoo. 

Haley in Memphis

Haley is sister to Anoki, born in 1996 and now in the Seneca Park Zoo, and to twins Lee and Anana, born in 1999. Lee is now in the Columbus Zoo, and is the father of Kulu, with Crystal's daughter Aurora; Kulu is now in the Como Zoo in St. Paul. Anana is in the North Carolina Zoo. Like her sisters, she has never had cubs.

Haley had lived with Marty's brother Payton in the Memphis Zoo for many years, but there was an incident early on where Payton was chasing Haley up and down the steep rocky habitat. She fell and broke her leg, and after a period of healing, the keepers continued to limit contact between the two bears, for fear of a repeat.

Payton was moved to North Carolina, where he became companion to Haley's sister Anana (Lee's twin), but no cubs ever came of this pairing.

Haley's mother Aurora was sister to the famous Denali, father of 8 cubs in Japan). She was also half sister to Anana (a different Anana, who comes up later in our story), the late Koluk and his twin brother Kiska, who lives in Albuquerque.

Nuka in Detroit

Twin brothers Nuka and Koda were born November 25, 2004 in Denver to mother Voda and father Kavek. Nuka and Koda's older sister Cranbearry was born in 2001, and now lives in the Alaska Zoo. Kavek was brother of Rizzo of the Cincinnati and Hogle Zoos.

Koda and Nuka moved to Pittsburgh in 2006. Koda lived most of his life in Pittsburgh, where his sometimes companion was his Aunt Snowflake.  Koda moved to Memphis in 2021. Nuka moved to Detroit in 2011, where his mate was Talini. No cubs happened, so Talini moved to Chicago LP, and Crystal's young daughter Suka came to Detroit. 

Nuka on the Tundra side, Suka and Astra on the meadow side.

In Detroit, Suka had several pregnancies where the cubs did not survive. Then in 2020, she gave birth to Astra and Laerke. Astra was strong, but newborn Laerke was struggling, so after a few days, she was removed and raised by keepers. 

Twin sisters Astra and Laerke, separated during their first two years.

Astra was a strong healthy cub, but Laerke was small and struggled sometimes. The Detroit Zoo brought in a rescued grizzly cub from Alaska to help Laerke socialize and learn to be a bear. They made for an odd couple, but both cubs were happy with the arrangement. 

Jebbie and Laerke in a friendly bear hug.

Eventually Jebbie grew too large for the pair to safely continue. He found a good home at a bear sanctuary in Colorado.

The girls were reunited several years later, and moved to Tacoma Washington, where they continue to do well.

Nuka

Nuka's life as a soap opera

Although he is a bear, some of us polar bear fans have joked that Nuka's life has followed the plots of many human soap operas, from being the father of twins separated at birth, to being accused of murder and then exonerated, to having families with both mother and daughter, and now, stealing his twin brother's mate. Okay, that's enough anthropomorphizing!

The real story

After Suka gave birth to the twin girls Astra and Laerke, who were separated shortly after birth, a lady bear named Anana moved to Detroit from the Cincinnati Zoo, and there were hopes of a successful breeding. What followed was a tragedy, followed by unfair accusations and rumors.

Sadly, Anana was found dead on the Tundra area one wintry morning, and initial suspicions suggested that Nuka was responsible, in breeding gone wrong. There were some bloody wounds on her head. This was a shocking thought, especially since Nuka had always been a very gentle bear and the two bears got along well. Months later, the necropsy showed that Anana had died of natural causes, heart failure. The superficial wounds on her head were caused by Nuka trying to wake her up, to get her to move, alas in vain. The true cause of death was not publicized except in an email necropsy report to Zoo members (which I had access to), so many people went on to blame Nuka for years. 

As the soap opera continued, the Toledo Zoo, only an hour's drive away from Detroit, had lost Marty, the father of all of Crystal's cubs, to old age. So Crystal, Suka's mother, was alone. As mother of seven, Crystal was thought to be still fertile, even though she was up in years. So Nuka was invited to come to Toledo to spend romantic time with -- yes, basically his mother-in-law -- while Suka raised Astra, and the keepers took care of Laerke in the neighboring city of Detroit.

There was worry from the Toledo Zoo fans and maybe even the staff, about Nuka and the safety of Crystal, given the false story about Anana. This blog seemed to be the only news source in the world with the correct story, so the Toledo Blade newspaper contacted me, and printed the true story exonerating Nuka, the two bears were introduced, and all was well.

Nuka and Crystal got along well, and that fall, twins Kallik and Kallu were born. Nuka returned to Suka in Detroit.

Birthday party for 2 year old Kallu and Kallik and 26 year old Crystal

The Detroit Zoo was hoping that Suka and Nuka would have cubs this past fall, but there was noisy construction nearby, and maybe that disturbed the natural cycle. In any case, there were no cubs born in a US zoo last year, or the year before.

This is why Haley was moved to Detroit. All of the polar bears  in the US under the age of 10 are offspring or grandchildren of Crystal, except for rescued youngster Kava in the Alaska Zoo. In fact the last cub born in the US that wasn't a direct descendent of Crystal was Anana's daughter Luna born in 2012, the same Anana who tragically died in Detroit. 

Aurora and Yukon of Seneca Park were parents of four cubs, but only one has become a parent: Lee, father of Kulu in the Columbus Zoo. And now there is new hope that the next generation will continue with Haley's latest move to Detroit.

It is rather late in the breeding season for the two bears to be introduced, but I am sure the keepers will do what they can. 22 years of age is quite old for a first time birth for a polar bear, but fingers are crossed. 

The only living male polar bears who have fathered cubs in the US are Nuka and Haley's brother Lee. Next spring we may see cubs in Detroit, Columbus, and maybe even in Toledo, where wildborn Kali has just arrived for Crystal's approval. 

Farewell to Payton

 

Payton in Memphis in 2012.

We heard today of the sudden passing of Payton, son of Arki and Aussie. He had been living in the North Carolina Zoo with Aurora and Yukon's daughter Anana since January of 2021. He died two hours into a transport to the Louisville Zoo yesterday, October 25. 

Payton in 2012

He would have been 20 years old on November 8. Payton was named for NFL running back Walter Payton. 

Payton

I visited him in October of 2012, when he was living in Memphis with Haley. He had moved to the Memphis Zoo with Aurora and Yukon's daughter Haley, who had come to Chicago from the Seneca Park Zoo in New York to get to know him. The two moved together from the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago in January of 2006. There were never any offspring from these two.

Payton with the kids

Arki and Aussie were the parents of five cubs. Marty, who was born in 1996, moved to Toledo and went on to father many cubs there, all but one with Crystal. Marty died in Toledo in 2021. Arki and Aussi's daughter Tiguak, who was hand raised, went to Canada and died in 2011 while undergoing a procedure under anesthetic.  Kinepak, born in 2000, died in Buffalo in 2007. Payton was born in 2003 and Hudson, the only offspring still alive, was born in 2006 in Brookfield. 

Payton was well loved in Memphis, and also in North Carolina, a cooperative and laid back bear who always had a good relationship with his keepers.

Payton was a playful boy.

I only visited him once, but noticed he had the same kind of dance as his mother Arki, only in the water. He seemed to enjoy interacting with the youngsters who visited him.

Payton interacting with the visitors in Memphis

Payton did the reverse dance, like his mom Arki.

Payton loved to see the kids at the window

Payton at the window in Memphis

Payton

This leaves only 39 polar bears in US zoos, and there is a law preventing the import of polar bears from outside the US.

Payton

Payton was destined for the Louisville Zoo, where wildborn Qannik lives, but she is property of Fish and Wildlife, and cannot be part of the breeding program.

Farewell, Payton. You were such a good bear.

Farewell to Elvis, King of Gelsenkirchen ZOOM

Elvis at play

Elvis has left the building. The elderly Elvis polar bear, longtime resident at Gelsenkirchen ZOOM, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 8.

Elvis hat das Gebäude verlassen. Die älteren Elvis Eisbär, langjähriger Bewohner in Gelsenkirchen ZOOM, verstarb friedlich am Samstag 8. Juni.

Elvis was born in the Memphis Zoo, Memphis Tennessee, USA, in November of 1979, two years after the death of the original Elvis, and was named in honor of the late King. This cub's parents were Olga and Bruno.

Elvis wurde in Memphis Zoo, Memphis, Tennessee, USA, im November geboren 1979. Es war zwei Jahre nach dem Tod des ursprünglichen Elvis und das Junge wurde zu Ehren des verstorbenen Königs benannt. Dieses cub Eltern waren Olga und Bruno.

Elvis, eating his carrots

When Elvis was a year old, he moved to Zoo Osnabrück in Germany, where he lived happily for many years with lady polar bear Sonja. They did produce cubs, but none survived.

Als Elvis ein Jahr alt war, zog er nach Zoo Osnabrück in Deutschland, wo er glücklich lebte seit vielen Jahren mit Dame Eisbär Sonja. Sie taten produzieren Jungen, aber keiner überlebt.

Tips (below) and Taps (Above) - the beautiful and famous Chocolate Bears

He leaves a legacy in his daughter and son, Tips and Taps, the famous Chocolate Bears of Zoo Osnabrück. There is a touch of scandal in this story. And a love triangle.

Er hinterlässt ein Vermächtnis seiner Tochter und Sohn, Tipps und Taps, der berühmte Chocolate Bears of Zoo Osnabrück. Es ist ein Hauch von Skandal in dieser Geschichte. Und eine Dreiecksgeschichte.

In those days the Osnabrück bear group included brown, black bears, and polar bears in a strange arrangement.

In jenen Tagen die Osnabrück Bär Gruppe gehörten braun, schwarz Bären und Eisbären in einem seltsamen Anordnung.

Susi, European Brown Bear who is mother to Tips and Taps

After 24 years of living together, there was a surprise in January of of 2004. European Brown Bear Susi gave birth to twin cubs that were obviously fathered by Elvis. Tips (the girl) and Taps (the boy) were Hybrids, half Polar Bear, half European Brown Bear. At first the birth of these cubs was something of a scandal and an embarrassment to the zoo, but now Zoo Osnabrück is very proud of their rare and quite beautiful silvery bears, sometimes called Chocolate Bears. Many visitors come to Zoo Osnabrück just to see this unique accidental pair.

Nach 24 Jahren des Zusammenlebens, es war eine Überraschung, im Januar 2004. Europäische Braunbär Susi gebar zwei Jungen, die offensichtlich von Elvis wurden gezeugt. Tipps (das Mädchen) und Taps (der Junge) waren Hybriden, halb Eisbär, halb europäischen Braunbär. Auf den ersten der Geburt dieser Jungen war so etwas wie ein Skandal und eine Schande für den Zoo, aber jetzt Zoo Osnabrück ist sehr stolz auf ihre seltenen und sehr schön silbrig Bären, manchmal auch Schokolade Bears. Viele Besucher kommen, um Zoo Osnabrück, nur um diese einzigartige zufälligen Paar zu sehen.

Elvis in all his glory

Elvis moved the Gelsenkirchen ZOOM in June of 2005. For the past eight years, he lived like a king in a luxurious environment in the Gelsenkirchen Zoo with a elderly lady friend, Fanny, who is one year older than Elvis. Elvis loved his carrots.

Elvis zog die ZOOM Gelsenkirchen im Juni 2005. In den vergangenen acht Jahren lebte er wie ein König in einer luxuriösen Umgebung im Zoo Gelsenkirchen mit einer älteren Freundin, Fanny, die ein Jahr älter als Elvis ist. Elvis liebte seine Karotten.

Fanny, age 34

As offspring of Olga and Bruno, Elvis is great uncle to Aurora of the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, NY. Haley, one of Aurora's cubs, is now living in the Memphis Zoo, which is the birthplace of her Great Uncle Elvis. So visitors to the Memphis Zoo can still see relatives of Elvis the King (Polar Bear).

Als Nachkommen von Olga und Bruno, ist Elvis Großonkel zu Aurora des Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, NY. Haley, einer der Aurora Jungen, lebt jetzt in der Memphis Zoo, das ist der Geburtsort von ihrem Großonkel Elvis. So Besucher der Memphis Zoo kann man noch Verwandten Elvis der King (Eisbär).

Elvis had relatives in Europe also. His twin sister C.W. was the mother of Ilka and Nordman (Nuuk), now at the Skandanavian Dierpark. Ilka is the mother of Siku and also new twins this year. Nordman is the father of Huggies' daughter Freedom, who lives at Rhennen. That means Nordman is grandfather of Freedom's cubs Sesi and Siku (now in France) and also Sprinter, now at Hannover. So Elvis had nieces and nephews. A big family.

Elvis hatte Verwandte in Europa auch. Seine Zwillingsschwester CW war die Mutter von Ilka und Nordman (Nuuk), jetzt an der Skandanavian Dierpark. Ilka ist die Mutter von Siku und auch neue Zwillinge in diesem Jahr. Nordman ist der Vater von Huggies Tochter Freedom, die sich Rhennen lebt. Nordman ist Großvater von der Freedom Jungen Sesi und Siku (jetzt in Frankreich) und auch Sprinter, jetzt in Hannover. So hatte Elvis Nichten und Neffen. Eine große Familie.

R.I.P. Elvis

We say goodbye to a legend. Goodbye, Elvis.

Payton of the Memphis Zoo

Payton

Payton is one handsome polar bear, now living in Northwest Passage at the Memphis Zoo with his girlfriend 10 year old Haley.

Payton ist ein schöner Eisbär, lebt heute in Nordwest-Passage an der Memphis Zoo mit seiner Freundin 10 Jahre alt Haley.

Hello

Payton the Polar Bear

Payton playing soccer with his lunch - a melon.

And he is a lot like his mother, Arki. I have never seen another bear do Arki's “dance” until I saw her son Payton. One of the frequent visitors at the Memphis Zoo told me that Payton started doing this “dance” about two years ago, and that was about the time Haley fell and broke her leg, so the two bears were separated for a time, and still don't spend a lot of time together, according to this visitor. Like Arki, Payton carefully walks forward, and then rhythmically walks backwards, swinging his head from side to side, and gets a zone out look on his face, just like Arki. But while Arki does this on land, her son Payton does the “dance” in shallow water. He swims forward and lunges at the thrilled people by the window, and then walks backwards, swinging. Then he does it again. I have to wonder if this is something he learned by watching his mother, or if there is something genetic. I have seen other bears pace, but Arki's dance is unique, or so I thought until I saw Payton.

Und er ist ein viel wie seine Mutter, Arki. Ich habe noch nie sehen ein weiterer Bär zu tun Arki den "Tanz", bis ich ihren Sohn Payton sah. Einer der häufigsten Besucher auf der Memphis Zoo erzählte mir, dass Payton tut dieses "dance" vor etwa zwei Jahren, und das war die Zeit, Haley fiel und brach sich ein Bein, so dass die beiden Bären wurden für eine Zeit getrennt, und noch don 't verbringen viel Zeit zusammen, nach dieser Besucher. Wie Arki, Payton sorgfältig geht nach vorne, und dann rhythmisch geht rückwärts, schwingt seinen Kopf von Seite zu Seite, und bekommt eine Zone aus Ausdruck auf seinem Gesicht, wie Arki. Aber während Arki tut dies auf dem Boden, hat ihr Sohn Payton den "Tanz" im flachen Wasser. Er schwimmt vorne und stürzt sich auf die begeistert die Menschen durch das Fenster, und dann geht rückwärts schwingen. Dann tut er es wieder. Ich frage mich, ob dies etwas, das er durch die Beobachtung seiner Mutter gelernt, oder wenn es etwas gibt, genetisch bedingt. Ich habe andere Bären Tempo gesehen, aber Arki Tanz ist einzigartig, so dachte ich, bis ich Payton sah.

Payton, dancing backwards in the water

Like his mother Arki, Payton paces by dancing

Lunchtime, Payton is looking for fish!

28 year old Arki has retired from having cubs and now makes her home in the Louisville Zoo, where she is with her grandson, 3 year old Siku.

28 Jahre alt Arki wird nicht mehr Jungen haben und jetzt macht ihr Zuhause im Louisville Zoo, wo sie mit ihrem Enkel, 3 Jahre alt Siku.

Ah, lunch!

My favorite!

Any more?

Thanks!

Payton was born in the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago Illinois on November 8, 2003. A naming contest was held, and the cub was named after Chicago Bears football player Walter Payton. It is appropriate, I think, for a bear to be named after a Bear.

Payton wurde in der Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Illinois am 8. November 2003 geboren. Ein Namen-Wettbewerb wurde gehalten, und das Junge wurde nach Chicago Bears Football-Spieler Walter Payton benannt. Es ist angemessen, denke ich, für einen Bären nach einem Bären benannt werden.

Payton loves his fans at the Memphis Zoo

Payton's mom is Arki and his father is Aussi, who is still in Chicago. Arki and Aussie are also parents of Marty, in the Toledo Zoo, and Hudson, still at Brookfield. Their other two children, Kinepak and Tiguak, have died.

Payton Mutter ist Arki und sein Vater ist Aussi, der immer noch in Chicago. Arki und Aussie sind auch Eltern von Marty im Toledo Zoo und Hudson, noch in Brookfield. Ihre beiden anderen jungen Bären, Kinepak und Tiguak, sind gestorben.

Arki, Payton's mom, now in the Louisville Zoo

Payton and Haley moved to the new Northwest Passage exhibit in Memphis in 2006. They have lots of space, and a nice pool with a large underwater view window. On the day I visited, Haley was outside all morning, then was called inside. Payton then came out for feeding time, where he had a lot of fun catching food thrown from overhead, while a large crowd of people watched. After feeding time, he swam over to a small window where there is shallow water, and proceeded to do his “dance.”

Payton und Haley in die neue Nordwest-Passage Ausstellung in Memphis im Jahr 2006. Sie haben viel Platz und einen schönen Pool mit einer großen Unterwasser-Blick Fenster. Am Tag, als ich besuchte, war Haley außerhalb aller Morgen, dann wurde innerhalb genannt. Payton dann kam für Fütterung, wo er eine Menge Spaß fangen Nahrung von oben geworfen hatte, während eine große Menschenmenge beobachtet. Nach Fütterung, schwamm er zu einem kleinen Fenster, wo es ist seichtes Wasser, und ging zu seinem tun "Tanz."

Payton smiles for his fans

And he's dancing

I know the zoo would like Haley to have cubs, and they thought she was pregnant two years ago, and Haley was moved to another exhibit to den up, but in the end, nothing happened. The last polar bear birth at the Memphis Zoo, as far as I know, was in 1979 when Elvis (now in Gelsenkirchen, Germany) and CW were born. Elvis's father Bruno, in fact, is the Great Grandfather of Haley.

Ich weiß, der Zoo möchten Haley Jungen haben, und sie dachten, dass sie schwanger war vor zwei Jahren, und Haley wurde in ein anderes Ausstellungsstück Höhle nach oben verschoben, aber am Ende ist nichts passiert. Der letzte Eisbär Geburt im Memphis Zoo, soweit ich weiß, war im Jahr 1979, als Elvis (jetzt in Gelsenkirchen, Deutschland) und CW geboren wurden. Elvis Vater Bruno, in der Tat ist der Urgroßvater von Haley.

Bye Bye!

Haley of the Memphis Zoo

It's your birthday, Haley. You are now 10 years old.

Happy 10^th Birthday to Haley, who now lives in a fantastic home in the Memphis Zoo with her 9 year old boyfriend Payton.

Glücklicher 10. Geburtstag zu Haley, lebt heute in einem fantastischen Gehege im Zoo von Memphis mit ihrem 9-jährigen Freund Payton.

Haley says hello!

Haley was born November 15, 2002 in the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York. Her mother is Aurora, and her father was the late Yukon. Aurora and Yukon also had three other cubs over the years: Lee (a brother) is now in Denver, Sister Anana is in Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo, and Sister Anoki is in Baltimore.

Haley war geboren 15. November 2002 in der Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, New York. Ihre Mutter ist Aurora, und ihr Vater war der verstorbene Yukon. Aurora und Yukon hatte auch drei andere junge Bären im Laufe der Jahre: Lee (ein Bruder) ist jetzt in Denver, ist Schwester Anana in Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo, und Schwester Anoki in Baltimore.

Northwest Passage has a rocky terrain

Her great great grandparents on her father's side are the prolific Olaf and Olga of the Omaha Zoo. Her great-grandparents on her mother's side are the Bruno and Hilda of the Memphis Zoo.

Ihr Ur-Ur-Großeltern väterlicherseits sind die produktivsten Olaf und Olga des Omaha Zoo. Ihre Urgroßeltern auf der Seite ihrer Mutter sind die Bruno und Hilda des Memphis Zoo.

Haley's companion Payton is 9 years old

She moved to the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago in 2006, where she met her current boyfriend Payton. They moved together to “Northwest Passage,” a beautiful new polar bear home in the Memphis Zoo in 2006.

Sie zog nach dem Brookfield Zoo in Chicago im Jahr 2006, wo sie ihre jetzigen Freund Payton erfüllt. Sie zogen zusammen, um "Northwest Passage", ein schönes neues Eisbärengehege im Memphis Zoo im Jahr 2006.

Pretty Haley

Haley takes a nap in the early afternoon sun

Haley had a little accident in February, 2010, when she and Payton were playing. She fell and broke a bone in her leg. It's fine now, but some regular zoo visitors I met told me that since that time, Haley and Payton usually have their own separate time in the enclosure, and are not often together. On the day I visited, Haley was out in the morning until feeding time, then she went in, and Payton came out to play alone. I will write more on Payton later. After all, today is Haley's birthday.

Haley hatte einen kleinen Unfall im Februar 2010, als sie und Payton spielten. Sie stürzte und brach einen Knochen in ihrem Bein. Es ist jetzt gut, aber einige regelmäßige Zoobesucher traf ich sagte mir, dass seit dieser Zeit, Haley und Payton haben in der Regel ihre eigenen separaten Zeit im Gehäuse und sind oft nicht zusammen. Am Tag besuchte ich, Haley aus war am Morgen bis Fütterung, dann ging sie in und Payton kam heraus, um alleine zu spielen. Ich werde mehr auf Payton später schreiben. Immerhin ist heute Haley Geburtstag.

Wandering down from her cave, Haley thinks about swimming

Northwest Passage is beautiful and the bears have a lot of room to roam and swim, and a variety of viewing windows for the visitors to enjoy watching Haley and Payton.

Northwest Passage ist schön und die Bären haben ein viel Raum zu durchstreifen und zu schwimmen, und eine Vielzahl von Sichtfenstern für die Besucher gern Haley und Payton.

At the Memphis Zoo, visitors come face to face with Payton.

The Memphis Zoo is also famous for being one of only four USA zoos with a pair of Giant Pandas. Here is the panda cam address where you can watch Ya Ya and Le Le mostly eat and sleep.

Die Memphis Zoo ist auch als einer von nur vier US-Zoos mit einem Paar Giant Pandas berühmt. Hier ist der Panda Cam-Adresse, wo Sie sehen können Ya Ya und Le Le Essen und Schlafen besonders.

http://memphiszoo.org/pandacam

Ya Ya, the lady Giant Panda

Le Le, the gentleman Giant Panda

The end.