Farewell to Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria, on her throne by the window in Aalborg.

Victoria, 28, was let go on Tuesday, May 20, in Highland Wildlife Park, following struggles with age related health problems.

Victoria with Wee Hamish.
He is a very large bear now, living in YWP.

She will forever be remembered as the first mother polar bear to share her time raising a cub with the world through the first public dencam while at Aalborg Zoo. Many of us watched Victoria tenderly care for newborn cub Milak during the winter of  2008-09. 

Victoria was also a TV star, featured on Denmark's Channel 2's annual Christmas Calendar series, where she guarded the precious jewel in the grotto in one episode.

Victoria and daughter Milak in 2012

Victoria started out as a German girl, the first of the six "V" cubs born in Rostock to Churchill and Vienna. She lived for years as a Danish lady in Aalborg Zoo, dubbed Queen Victoria for her penchant for regally sitting on her "throne" in front of the top window, receiving her subjects. For the last third of her life, she was a Scottish lass in the Highlands, enjoying a spacious natural habitat, the wild winds, and the deep snow in winter. 

Victoria was often smiling.

Victoria was put to sleep at age 28, having arthritis and other health problems associated with old age, but still roaming around her habitat during her last weeks. 

Victoria in HWP in 2018

Victoria was born December 12, 1996 in Rostock, and came to Aalborg when she was two years old, then spent a few months in Duisberg, then back to Aalborg, where she lived with another lady bear Malik, who is still there. A gentleman bear named Felix came from Nuremburg, where he had fathered the famous Flocke. In Aalborg, gentle Felix had two lady friends: Victoria and Malik. Victoria gave birth to daughter Milak (although she was thought to be a boy for nearly four years) on December 7, 2008. 

Milak and Victoria in Aalborg in 2011

Felix went back to Nuremburg, but the following year, Malik gave birth to Augo, also thought to be a boy but actually a girl. 

Mother Victoria gives a little nip to daughter Milak

Victoria was a good mother to Milak, until she decided she had had enough, and turned on Milak, driving her away. It was a tricky time in Aalborg, for there were two mothers with cubs one year apart, and the habitat could be divided into two areas, but Victoria wanted nothing to do with a very distressed Milak.

In 2012, Victoria turned on her cub Milak, and drove her away.

The solution was give Victoria her own space, and let Milak be playmate to younger Augo, along with Malik. The two cubs were so happy to be together, and never got tired of playing with each other. Sadly, Augo died after a terrible fall in May of 2013. Near the end of 2014, Milak, who was known to be female by that time, moved to St. Felicien in Canada, where she had a son, Shouka.

Victoria

Victoria moved to Highland Wildlife Park in 2015, near Kingussie, where she was provided with a companion during breeding season, Arktos. Most of the time, Arktos is with his longtime friend Walker. Victoria's habitat was at a distance from the boys' habitat.

Victoria at the window.

HWP was much different from Aalborg, which was well designed with smooth river rocks, but no grass. At Aalborg, Victoria enjoyed watch people through the many windows in Aalborg, especially from her throne at the top window. Victoria did not spend a lot of time in the pool while in Aalborg, preferring the land. 

Victoria greeting the children.

 In Scotland, the habitat was all natural. People were at a distance and she had a vast rolling meadow with a natural pool in which to swim.

Victoria in the pool at HWP with Wee Hamish.

Victoria with Wee Hamish, shakes it off.

When Victoria was denned up with Milak in Aalborg, she could hear cars on the back road behind the zoo, and lots of chatter from the visitors, noises from the neighboring animals, especially the peacocks. Keepers, as well as the public, could see exactly what she was doing. But in Scotland, in the winter Victoria was tucked away in a remote den with no one to check on her, no one to even be sure she had given birth except through a listening device. 

At HWP, she gave birth to Wee Hamish on December 18, 2017. He stayed in Scotland until 2020 when he moved to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, where he lives in a bachelor group.

                                   Wee Hamish hugs his mom Victoria

After a reunion with Arktos during breeding season, Victoria had Brodie on December 13, 2021. He is still in Scotland, and even though he is past age three, Victoria had not driven him away. 

I remember Victoria as a gentle, sweet bear, as she was that way with people. I fed her figs and grapes, and she would sit like a puppy, waiting for her snack.

                                       I got to feed some figs to Victoria

 However, she was more harsh with other bears, according to her longtime keeper Frank in Aalborg Zoo. Victoria liked people, but wasn't as fond of other bears. In Aalborg, she liked nothing more than sitting on her throne, watching the people and the occasional dog go by. In the Highlands, she wasn't close to the public, but I am sure she created strong bonds with her keepers, who will miss her greatly. I know I will. 

                                                         Victoria and Hamish

I had hoped to make it back to HWP to see her again. Now I will just have to remember her as regal Victoria, Queen of all she surveyed. 

                                           Rest in Peace, dear Victoria

Blizzard gone too soon

 

Blizzard's signature smile

Zoo Karlsruhe in Germany has announced the death of Blizzard, their 15 year old male polar bear. He was discovered dead in the indoor facility yesterday.

Viktoria and Blizzard

It was recently discovered that Blizzard's kidney values were very poor. He had been examined for a minor leg injury, and routine blood tests revealed Blizzard's kidney failure. Animals can be very good at hiding health problems.

Blizzard and his reflection

Blizzard was born December 16, 2006, in Pistoia Italy, in a zoo that no longer keeps polar bears. His father was the late Yoghi, and his mother was Yoghi's mother Bimba. The family tree is rather twisted, as Yoghi's father Romeo was also Bimba's father. Romeo was an American bear, born in Colorado Springs.

Blizzard top, finding treats smeared on the walls by the keepers

Blizzard lived in Pistoia until he was four years old, then moved to Rostock for several years, where he had a lovely time hanging out with old Mother Vienna. In 2012, he moved to Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg, where he lived with Fanny's daughter Viktoria until May of 2020, when he moved to Karlsruhe, where he lived with young Charlotte, Flocke's sister.

Blizzard chasing Viktoria

Blizzard, like his father Yoghi, was a laid back, friendly and gentle bear. He seemed to like to stick his tongue out, more than the average polar bear, and was sometimes a bit silly. He always got along well with his lady companions.

Blizzard was a happy bear

Blizzard's father Yoghi also died fairly young of kidney failure. 

Blizzard never had any cubs, but he did have siblings fathered by Yoghi. He was half brother to twins Nela and Nobby, and also to Quintana. Nela now lives in Emmen in the Netherlands, Nobby lives in Yorkshire Wildlife Park in the UK, and Quintana lives in Zoo La Fleche in France. 

Viktoria in front, and here comes Blizzard

I visited Blizzard several times in Hagenbeck, where he lived a lazy, content and life with Viktoria. 

It is sad to lose him at such a young age. I will miss him. 

Blizzard up top in Hagenbeck

Farewell Blizzard.

 

My Quest to meet Boris- Part 2

Boris

I had come over halfway across the country, to the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma Washington, with a very special goal, to see Boris, who at nearly 33 years of age, is the oldest male polar bear in the U.S.

Boris, the oldest male polar bear in the U.S. zoos

On my first day visiting the zoo, I got to talk with Sheridan, the polar bear keeper at Point Defiance, took a look at where Boris lives, and found out who his neighbors are. I spent some time with the arctic foxes, the Musk Oxen, companion polar bear Blizzard, who is 10 years younger than Boris, the puffins and the walruses. But the old guy I had come so far to see had spent his day inside, playing with his toys in the indoor pool and sleeping. Boris, in his elderly state, is not allowed out on Thursdays, it seems, since that is the day they drain, clean and refill the pool.

Churchill of Rostock, father of Boris

Boris is the firstborn son of the late Churchill in Rostock, Germany. Boris came into the world on December 15, 1985 under the stork's nest of the old Castle at the Rostock Zoo. Boris' mother was Kara, Churchill's half sister. Kara was also sister of Lisa, mother of Lars and Knut's grandmother. The father of all three, Churchill, Kara and Lisa, was Olaf Wildfang. Zoos were not very strict about the studbook in those days, as evidenced by the family tree of Lars as well.

The late Tosca, one of the other German circus bears,
 became mother of Knut

In those days, in Europe and in the U.S., polar bear births in zoos were more common, and with more cubs, there wasn't always a zoo that could take the cubs when it was time to leave their mothers. Those were different times. Sadly, 18 month old Boris was sold into the East German circus system, and spent many years traveling and performing with Wilhelm, Tosca, Kenneth and other polar bears under the training of a tiny German woman known as the Polar Bear Princess, Ursula Böttcher. Ursula loved her bears and treated them humanely, but the traveling circus life was never easy for the bears.

After German Reunification, without the state subsidies for the East German circuses, everything changed. By the late 1990s, the performers had retired or gone elsewhere, and the circus assets were sold off. Tosca went to the Berlin Zoo, where she lived with Boris' cousin Lars and became mother of the famous Knut. A male polar bear named Tromsö, now 29, still lives in the Amnéville Zoo in France. But at the time, in the late 1990s, with a bigger zoo polar bear population than now, zoos wanted bears that could breed and provide cute little cubs. The male circus bears had been castrated so they would not fight with the other bears, so zoos were not anxious to take them.

Sadly, the bears who were not taken in by European zoos were sold to the Suarez Brothers Circus in Mexico, where the conditions were hot and terrible. The bears were poorly fed on dog food, white bread and lettuce, and they had cramped quarters and no pools, no way to cool off. Wilhelm took a swipe at a trainer, and in response, he was declawed.

Polar bear keeper Sheridan with some lettuce for Boris at Point Defiance Zoo.

A Canadian couple visiting Mexico saw the circus, and filmed the pathetic bears performing. They brought attention to the plight of the polar bears in the Mexican circus and the suffering animals were were rescued in late 2002 in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico by U.S. Officials. One of the six bears died during transport. The other bears were in pretty bad shape, including Kenny and Boris, who were flown to the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. There the two bears were given extensive dental treatment and medical care, good nutrition, and lots of love.

Boris watches Sheridan go, hoping for more lettuce

It is now 2018, and all the others have died, Kenny in 2012, but Boris carries on. I decided I needed to visit him before it was too late.

Boris steps down from the rock perch, to head for the water bowl

So on my second day in the Seattle area, I arose in the dark, again rode buses for hours, and climbed through the fog up the hill once again to the zoo entrance. First stop was to try to see Boris. Sheridan, the polar bear keeper I had talked to the day before, had informed Boris that he would have a special visitor and he was to be on his best behavior. As I came into the viewing building, I could see that Boris was there, atop the left rock platform, munching away on lettuce being thrown to him by Sheridan from the other side of the fence. At this time of year, he gets six pounds of food a day, to maintain his weight at 911 pounds. His favorite food is lettuce, maybe because of his familiar diet during his Mexican circus days. Less weight means less strain on his old arthritic bones. By the way, Boris does NOT like melon.

Boris had some abscesses on his foot,  which you can see here.
 He walks very slowly and carefully these days.

Boris is craggy and majestic in his old age, just like his father Churchill was, but Boris is a gentle giant, whereas Churchill was banished from the company of other polar bears for his aggression. 

Boris resembles his father Churchill, but with more gentleness

Boris' circus days are long behind him, but he did put on a “show” just for me. It was more like a royal audience.

Boris slowly makes his way

He climbed down from his rock, slowly and gingerly lumbered toward me so I could get a good look. Boris is not fond of the uneven river-stone rocks in the enclosure, but that was the material used at the time of construction in 1982. I wished he could have some grass to roll upon.

Boris walks carefully on the riverstone floor

Boris has recently had root canals for his poor old teeth. Last spring he underwent experimental and revolutionary stem cell treatment for his arthritis. This had never been done before with polar bears, and seemed to give him some relief. The experiment was repeated this summer, but the results the second time were disappointing, but he is getting medication for his arthritis. He is also receiving eye drops several times a day.

Boris weighs in at 911 pounds these days.

On this morning, Boris had several abscesses on his right front paw that had ruptured earlier, so there were streaks of blood on his paw. The vet would be keeping an eye on that.

Boris still likes his toys. I can imagine him balancing balls in his circus days.

Boris paused to play for a few moments with the blue ball.

Click on the link for the Video:

Boris the old circus bear plays with the blue ball

The keepers change out his toys regularly, to keep him interesting in playing.

The old circus bear slowly made his way over to the big yellow bowl of fresh water, and had a few sips.

Fresh water in the bowl. The swimming pool is filled with saltwater.

Boris takes a sip. Note the blood on his paw from the broken abscess.

Chewing lettuce makes Boris foam at the mouth a bit.

And then Blizzard joined the party. The younger bear quickly took control of the blue ball, grabbing it in his moth and running off with it, climbing up to the right side rock resting place. Boris seemed not to mind.

Click on the link for the video of Boris walking, ever so slowly. 

Video: Boris walking and Blizzard with the ball

Blizzard at the right takes control of the ball.

   Boris lingered by the yellow bowl, then strolled carefully over to the left side rock platform, climbing up ever so slowly. You can tell that he's an old bear, just by the way he walks.

Boris has had enough. He makes his way toward the exit.

Boris heads for the hills

He pauses a moment on the rock platform. 

This is  what you see  from one of the two viewing rooms. You can step down into a second viewing chamber which gives visitors an underwater look at the bears playing in the pool, although that did not happen during my visit.
 Boris is on the left, and Blizzard is on the right.

After a few minutes rest atop the flat rock, he decided that the public audience was over, made his way down, and took his exit. I was lucky enough to enjoy about an hour with His Majesty.

Boris makes his exit towards the indoor pool
 and a nice soft pile of hay for his nap.

Younger bear Blizzard continued to hold court atop the right hand rock, but there was to be no swimming that day. In the autumn, bears slow down. They eat less, move less, play less.

Blizzard toys with the blue ball.

Sheridan, the keeper, told me that Boris was free to come and go, but he would probably not come out again for the rest of the day. I did check every few hours, but it was just Blizzard, and he was mostly napping.

Boris on his throne

Although it was only for an hour, I was happy to have seen Boris, at last. Thanks, Boris, for coming out just for me. To me, you are European Royalty.