Farewell to Katjuscha

 

Katjuscha

Katjuscha

It is the end of an era. The Berlin Zoo polar bear habitat's probably final resident, 37 year old Katjuscha, has passed away. She had been suffering from a heart ailment for some time, and had been treated for it, but now, the oldest polar bear in the world had come to the end of her days. She was found by her keepers, in her den, on Christmas Eve morning, it was announced today. She had peacefully died in her sleep.

Kati, during her afternoon walk. 

She had turned 37 years old November 16, and she was given a small party with a treat.

She was known for her beauty and grace. Visitors would often see her just sitting in the doorway, watching the world go by.

Katjuscha, watching the world go by

Last year, there were two other lady polar bears in the world who had reached the age of 36: Snow Lily in Milwaukee, and Winnie in Japan, both just several weeks younger than Katjuscha. Now all three are all gone.

Kati at teatime, in 2014.

Katjuscha was born in 1984 in Zoo Karlsruhe, the daughter of Nadine and Willie. Nadine and Willie were also the parents, five years later, of Antonia, the famous dwarf polar bear. Also in 1989, Willie became the father of Nancy, one of Katjuscha's lifelong companions in the Berlin Zoo, and also Anton, father of Wilbär.

Tosca in front, Katjuscha in the middle,
 and Nancy, top, sleeping, in 2014.

 

Katjuscha came to Berlin when she was almost a year old, and remained there all her life. At one time, she was part of Lars' harem, the three ladies of the Berlin Zoo: Nancy, Tosca and Kati. The four bears made for quite a sight for Berlin Zoo visitors.

Katjuscha in 2014, the fluffy one.

Tosca and Lars' son, the famous Knut, was part of the group for a short time too, after Lars left, until  young Knut died from a brain disease which tragically caused him to fall into the water and drown.

Katjuscha watching Nancy and Tosca from her doorway.

After that sad event, it was just the three ladies of  the Berlin Zoo. Tosca and Nancy seemed to be best friends, and Katjuscha was on her own. We lost Tosca and Nancy a few years ago, but Kati continued on, well past the expected age of a polar bear.

Katjuscha in her kingdom in 2019

Now she is gone too, and the polar bear area is empty, save for the nearby memorial sculpture of Knut. 

It is truly the end of an era.

Rest in Peace, sweet lady.

The beautiful Katjuscha is 36 today

 

It is rare for a polar bear to reach the age of 36, but Katjuscha of the Berlin Zoo is celebrating that milestone today. She is the oldest polar bear in a European zoo. I don't know of any polar bears in the world who are older. There is a lady bear in the Milwaukee County Zoo in the U.S., Snow Lily, who is two weeks younger than Katjuscha.

Katjuscha does have a younger sister, born in 1989, Antonia the famous dwarf polar bear who now lives in Gelsenkirchen. Their parents were mother Nadine of Karlsruhe, and father Willie, who lived in the Berlin Zoo but would come to Karlsruhe during breeding season to visit the girls. 

Most of these photos are from my last visit with Katjuscha, in May of 2019. She was active, roaming around her enclosure at the Berlin Zoo and having a fine time on a lovely Spring day. She often takes a swim, but she did not during my most recent visit. When I came back in the afternoon to check on her, she was sleeping.

My friend Ralph visited her in September, just two months ago, and reported that she spent much of her time swimming. Here is a link to his report in Knuti's Weekly. 

Ralph visits Katjuscha in Berlin

Kati does like to roam around and patrol her enclosure, check things out. She has some arthritis, but it doesn't stop her from being a very active senior bear.

Katjuscha tends to wander in and out of her door, and sometimes naps there. She has lived alone for a few years now, since the death of Tosca and then Nancy. She seems to like being on her own. Nancy and Tosca had always teamed up as best friends, and Katjuscha was left out anyway.

When I visited Berlin in 2014, Katjuscha invited me to a tea party at the enclosure, with bread rolls served daintily upon her paw.

Back in 2014, Tosca and Katjuscha's sister Nancy would play together, and even lick ears. Katjuscha was left on her own. She has always liked to sit in the door and watch the rest of the world go by.

Tosca, Katjuscha and Nancy in Berlin in 2014.

During my visit in 2015, Kati went into the water and played with a blue ball. She had a great time, just like a cub.

Kati gets a snack of some meat and fish. She does like her snacks. This was in 2015.

Happy Birthday Katjuscha!

 I hope you get some good snacks today!

A final farewell to Tosca

Ein endgültiger Abschied von Tosca

Tosca - photo taken May 7, 2015

Tosca, best known as mother of the famous Knut, is leaving us. A committee of veterinarians, keepers and animal experts met at the Berlin Zoo this week, and decided that her quality of life was gone, and she should not suffer further. She was blind, deaf, and showed signs of severe dementia. Tosca stumbled when she tried to walk, and could not find her food.

Tosca, am besten als Mutter des berühmten Knut bekannt, verlässt uns. Ein Ausschuss von Tierärzten, Tierpflegern und Tierexperten trafen sich im Berliner Zoologischen Garten in dieser Woche, und beschlossen, dass Toscas Lebensqualität vergangen war, und sie nicht weiter leiden sollte. Sie war blind, taub, und zeigte Anzeichen von schwerer Demenz. Tosca stolperte, als sie versuchte zu gehen, und konnte ihr Fressen nicht mehr finden.

Tosca (front) and Katjuscha (back) - photo taken May 7, 2015

Tosca, age 28, was born in the wild in Canada in 1986, and captured in 1987. She was then sold into an East German circus where she had to perform, sometimes with the Polar Bear Princess Ursula  Blütchen. When the Polar Bear Princess retired in 1998, Tosca went to the Berlin Zoo to enjoy her retirement.

Tosca, Alter 28, wurde in der Wildnis in Kanada im Jahr 1986 geboren und im Jahre 1987 gefangen genommen, sie wurde dann an einen DDR-Zirkus verkauft, wo sie dann später auftreten musste, meistens unter der Regie von Ursula Boettcher. Als die *Polar Bear Princess* im Jahr 1998 in den Ruhestand versetzt wurde kam Tosca an den Berliner Zoologischen Garten.

Tosca - photo May 7, 2015

With Lars as the father, Tosca gave birth to the famous Knut and his twin brother on December 5, 2006, but she neglected them, and left them outside on the rocks. The brother died, and Knut was raised by keepers, and became a celebrity, and star of the Berlin Zoo.

Mit Lars als Vater bekam Tosca den später dann berühmten Eisbären Knut und seinen Zwillingsbruder am 5. Dezember 2006, aber sie vernachlässigt ihren Nachwuchs und ließ sie draußen auf den Felsen liegen. Der Bruder starb wenige Tage danach, und wurde von Knut's Tierpfleger von Hand aufgezogen, und er wurde eine Berühmtheit und der Star des Berliner Zoos.

Tosca, near the water. Photo taken May 7, 2015.
In recent weeks, it had become unsafe to allow her
to walk around the enclosure.

A sculpture of "Knut the Dreamer"
 stands near the polar bear enclosure at the Berlin Zoo

Eventually Knut joined his mother and her two friends Nancy and Katjuscha in the large enclosure, but sadly, Knut died of a drowning accident caused by a brain infection.

Schließlich kam Knut doch noch mit seiner Mutter und ihren beiden Freundinnen Nancy und Katjuscha in das große Gehege zusammen, aber leider starb Knut durch Ertrinken, bedingt durch eine verursachte Gehirninfektion.

In a photo taken last September, shortly before Nancy's sudden death, Nancy is licking Tosca's ears, a sign of great affection.

Tosca and Nancy were very close, and spent many hours with Nancy licking Tosca's ears. When Nancy, who was a few years younger, died last fall, Tosca became very lonely.

Tosca und Nancy waren sehr eng verbunden, und sie verbrachte viele Stunden mit Nancy, die leckte Tosca's Ohren. Als dann Nancy, die ein paar Jahre jünger war, im vergangenen Herbst starb, da wurde Tosca sehr einsam.

Tosca, in front, Katy in back. Photo taken May 7, 2015

I visited Tosca and Katjuscha on May 7, just about six weeks ago. Katjuscha was active and playing with toys in the water, but Tosca was just pacing, and seemed sad. She did look alert and able, though.

Ich besuchte Tosca und Katjuscha am 7. Mai vor nur etwa sechs Wochen. Katjuscha war aktiv und spielt mit Spielzeug im Wasser, aber Tosca war gerade *Pacing* und schien traurig. Sie war aber noch sehr aufmerksam und in der Lage zu gehen.

Tosca

Reports from the zoo said that Tosca's health deteriorated rapidly in the past few weeks. She had become disoriented, deaf and blind, and no longer went outside.

Berichte aus dem Zoo sagten, dass Tosca's Gesundheit sich rasch verschlechterte in den letzten Wochen. Sie war desorientiert, taub und auch dabei blind zu werden, und ging auch nicht mehr nach draußen.

Tosca

The officials made the decision that Tosca should not suffer any longer.

Die Verantwortlichen haben nun die Entscheidung getroffen, dass Tosca nicht länger leiden soll.

Tosca in front, Katy in back.
 Photo taken May 7, 2015

Only 30 year old Katjuscha lives in the enclosure at the Berlin Zoo.

Nur lebt nur die 30 Jahre alt Katjuscha in dem Gehegee im Berliner Zoologischen Garten.

Katjuscha

With Tosca gone, Boris in Point Defiance Zoo in Washington State, USA, will be the last surviving GDR circus bear.

Mit dem Ableben von Tosca ist nun Boris im Point Defiance Zoo in Washington State, USA der letzte überlebende DDR Zirkus Eisbär.

Lars comes to Aalborg, looking for romance

Lars kommt nach Aalborg, auf der Suche nach Romantik

Lars has a snack (in Zoo Wuppertal)

Once upon a time there were three lady bears at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark: Victoria, Malik and Milak.

Einst gab es drei Eisbärinnen im Zoo von Aalborg in Dänemark: Victoria, Malik und Milak.

Victoria, Malik and Milak at Aalborg Zoo, Denmark

In December, young Milak flew away to Canada to Zoo Sauvage at St. Felicien, Quebec. Then there were two lady bears left.

Im Dezember 2014 flog die junge Milak fort nach Kanada, um im Zoo Sauvage in St. Félicien, Quebec ein neues Heim zu finden. Dann waren es nur noch zwei Eisbärinnen.

Malik (top) lost her friend Milak,
 when Milak flew away to Canada in December

In March, Queen Victoria made the journey to Scotland, to Highlands Wildlife Park. That leaves only Malik, all alone at Aalborg.

Im März 2015 machte Königin Victoria die Reise nach Schottland, in den Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussi. Das lässt nun Malik ganz allein im Aalborg Zoo bleiben.

Victoria and Keeper Frank at Aalborg Zoo

Victoria greets her guests and fans

Then last week, Malik had a surprise. Lars came all the way from Zoo Rostock in Germany to be her companion.

Dann in der vergangenen Woche bekam Malik eine Überraschung. Lars kam den weiten Weg aus dem Rostocker Zoo in Deutschland, um ihr Begleiter zu werden.

Lars (at Zoo Rostock)

21 year old Lars was born in Munich to mother Lisa, and father Michi, and it looks like Michi was also Lisa's son, Lars' brother.

Der 21-jährige Lars war in München von Mutter Lisa, und Vater Michi geboren worden, und es stellte sich heraus, dass Michi auch Lisas Sohn war, damit Lars' Bruder.

Lars eats a pumpkin at Zoo Rostock

Lars has moved around a bit. He has lived in Bremerhaven, Munster, Neumuster, until he settled down at the Berlin Zoo in 1999. He lived in Berlin for ten years with three lady bears: Nancy, Tosca, and Katjuscha.

Lars hat schon eine Vielzahl an Reisen hinter sich. Er hat in Bremerhaven, Münster, Neumünster gelebt, bis er dann sesshaft im Berliner Zoo wurde, seit dem Jahr 1999 lebte er in Berlin zehn Jahren mit drei Eisbärinnen: Nancy, Tosca und Katjuscha.

The three ladies in Lars' harem at Zoo Berlin,
 Tosca (bottom), Katjuscha, and Nancy (sleeping).
 Nancy died last fall.

With retired circus bear Tosca, he fathered the famous Knut, who was born in 2006 and tragically died in the spring of 2011.

Mit der ehemaligen Zirkusbärin Tosca zeugte er den berühmten Knut, der 2006 geboren wurde und auf tragische Weise im Frühjahr am 19. März 2011 starb.

The Berlin Zoo ladies, Katjuscha in door.

Lars moved to Wuppertal Zoo in 2009, where he met a sweet bear named Jerka. Tragedy hit in 2010, and Jerka died of a zebra herpes disease. Lars was stricken as well, and very nearly died, but did recover after many months.

Lars zog weiter nach Wuppertal in den Zoo im Jahr 2009, wo er eine wunderbare Eisbärin namens Jerka erfreuen konnte. Eine Tragödie gesachah im Jahr 2010, und Jerka starb an einer Zebra Herpes-Krankheit. Lars war auch betroffen und wäre beinahe gestorben, aber nach vielen Monaten intensiver Pflege konnte er sich erholen.

Lars at Zoo Wuppertal

Lars was not alone for long. Vilma came along, and the pair had a sweet little cub named Anori in 2012. Lars moved to Rostock, where Vilma's mother Vienna and her father Churchill lived.

Lars war nicht lange allein. Vilma kam, und das Paar hatte ein süßes kleinen Jungtier namens Anori im Jahr 2012. Lars zog nach Rostock, wo vorher die Mutter Vienna und ihr Vater Churchill lebten.

Vilma, in front, and Lars at Zoo Wuppertal, before Anori.

Lars and Vilma at Wuppertal

Lars' daughter Anori, and Vilma

A playmate named Luka arrived at Wuppertal for Anori, and Vilma moved back to Rostock. Just this past fall, Vilma and Lars had another cub, a boy named Fiete.

Ein Spielkamerad namens Luka kam nach Wuppertal für Anori und Vilma zog zurück nach Rostock. Gerade im vergangenen Herbst hatten Vilma und Lars einen weiteren Nachwuchs, einen Jungen, der Fiete getauft wurde.

Lars and Vienna at Zoo Rostock.
Vienna is Vilma's mother.

Vienna, top, and Lars at Zoo Rostock

Lars and Vienna at Zoo Rostock.
Vienna has a chronic leg injury inflicted by previous mate Churchill

So now while Vilma is taking care of the cub, Lars has come to Aalborg Zoo to visit 14 year old Malik.

So ist nun, während Vilma sich um den Nachwuchs kümmert, Zeit und Platz für Lars nach Aalborg Zoo zu Besuch zu kommen zur 14-jährige Malik.

Malik

Malik was born in 2000 at Aalborg Zoo. In 2009 she gave birth to cubs who died soon after, and again gave birth in 2010 to twins, with one surviving. That would be Augo, who later died tragically in a fall May 4, 2012.

Malik wurde 2000 in Aalborg Zoo geboren. Im Jahr 2009 gebar sie Jungtiere der bald darauf starben, und Malik brachte im Jahr 2010 Zwillinge zur Welt, mit einem überlebenden Jungtier. Das war Augo, die später auf tragische Weise bei einem Sturz gestorben ist-am 4. Mai 2012.

Malik and her daughter, the late Augo

Since both Malik and Lars have proven to be fertile, Aalborg Zoo has high hopes that there may be cubs this fall.

Da sowohl Malik und als auch Lars sich als fruchtbar zu sein bewiesen haben hat der Aalborg Zoo große Hoffnungen, dass es Junge in diesem Herbst/Winter geben könnte.

Aalborg Zoo has a great facility,
with two separate areas, and a deep diving pool.

Aalborg Zoo has a fine enclosure for the bears, with a deep pool for swimming and rocks to climb. It has wonderful underwater and above ground viewing for the polar bear fans.

Aalborg Zoo hat ein feines Gehegee für die Eisbären, mit einem tiefen Pool zum Schwimmen und Felsen zu klettern. Es hat wunderbare Unterwasserfenster für die Besucher und die Eisbären-Fans.

Many have watched the activities at Aalborg Zoo through the webcam.
 Here is the Link:

Polar Bears at Aalborg Zoo

There is also a webcam to watch Lars and Malik get to know each other. And if there are cubs, the zoo was the first with a public dencam back in 2008.

Es gibt auch eine Webcam zum Verfolgen, man kann beobachten wie Lars und Malik einander nähern und sich kennen lernen. Und wenn es wieder Jungtiere gibt, war der Aalborg Zoo der erste Zoo mit einem öffentlichen DenCam -erstmalig bereits im Jahr 2008.

Malik

Romance is in the air at Aalborg Zoo as Lars and Malik get to know each other.

Romantik ist in der Luft im Zoo von Aalborg - Lars und Malik lernen einander kennen.

Lars

Thanks to Marga Andresen Gransow for the German translation.