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.

 

Queen Victoria moves to Scotland

Queen Victoria - Der Umzug nach Schottland

Beautiful Queen Victoria

Now it can be revealed. Victoria of Aalborg Zoo in Denmark will be moving to Highlands Wildlife Park on Monday, March 23. Since Victoria's daughter Milak moved to Canada in December, this will leave 14 year old Malik the only bear at Aalborg Zoo in Denmark, but she will soon have a companion. Lars will be making the journey from Rostock Zoo in Germany to be Malik's new friend.

Nun ist es offenbart worden. Victoria aus dem Aalborg Zoo wird in den Highland Wildlife Park am Montag, den 23. März umziehen. Seit Victorias Tochter Milak nach Kanada im Dezember versandt wurde, wird die im Zoo von Aalborg in Dänemark verbleibende 14-jährige Malik die einzigen Eisbärin sein, jedoch nicht sehr lange, sie bekommt recht bald wieder einen Begleiter. Lars aus dem Rostock Zoo wird dann für Malik der neue Partner werden.

Victoria poses

18 year old Victoria, who has lived at Aalborg since 1999, will be going to a large newly constructed enclosure with pond, built by British soldiers at the Scottish park.

Die 18-jährige Victoria, die seit 1999 im Aalborg Zoo lebt, wird in eine großes, gerade neu errichtetes Gehege mit Teich einziehen, dies wurde mit Hilfe von britischen Soldaten im schottischen Park gebaut.

Victoria likes to sit at the window in the small enclosure and greet her guests

Seven year old Arktos and six year old Walker already reside in their own enclosure at Highlands, built in 2009. The boys' enclosure has a large natural pool set in over four acres of land. Arktos and Walker are great playmates, and are inseparable. But now, the beautiful Victoria comes on the scene.

Der sieben Jahre alten Arktos und der sechs Jahre alte Walker befinden sich bereits seit dem Jahr 2009 in ihrem eigenen Gehege im Highland Wildlife Park. Die für die jungen Eisbären gebaute Anlage verfügt über einen großen natürlichen Pool in mehr als vier Hektar Land. Arktos und Walker sind große Spielkameraden, und sind untrennbar miteinander verbunden. Aber jetzt erscheint bald die schöne Victoria.

Victoria has marks on her lovely face, from rubbing on the bars

Victoria was featured in the "Christmas Calendar" television series shown all over Denmark several years ago. She was cast as the guardian of  the
Light Stone. The heraldic shield was part of the plot.

Victoria often stands up to show her visitors how tall and might she is. This is a webcam shot taken Saturday, March 21, two days before her scheduled departure. Many people all over the world have watched Victoria and the other Aalborg bears on the zoo webcam for  years.

The park hopes to introduce Victoria and Arktos this spring, and maybe there will be cubs next winter.

Die Parkleitung hofft, Victoria und Arktos in diesem Frühjahr zusammen zu bringen, und vielleicht gibt es dann auch Nachwuchs zum Winter diesen Jahres.

Victoria poses for the paparazzi

She loves the younger visitors

Arktos, the son of Eric and Olinka, is the half brother of Felix, the father of Victoria's cub Milak. Victoria was very fond of Felix, and will like his brother just as well, hopefully. Arktos has American relatives too, as he is the great grandson of Olaf and Olga of the Omaha Zoo.

Arktos, der Sohn von Eric und Olinka, ist der Halbbruder von Felix, der Vater von Victorias Nachwuchs Milak. Victoria war sehr angetan von Felix und man hofft auf ein gutes Verhältnis zu den beiden Brüdern. Arktos hat Verwandte amerikanischen Ursprungs, denn er ist der Urenkel von Olaf und Olga des Omaha Zoo.

Victoria has her eye on some food in Zookeeper Frank's hand

She stands up for Frank as part of her training.
 In this way the keepers can do health checks more easily.

The other male cub at Highlands is Walker, son of Huggies and Victor, who is Victoria's brother, so Walker is Victoria's nephew. Victoria's daughter Milak is now in Canada at Zoo Sauvage in St. Felicien, and is there with another female Aisaqvak, and also Walker's brother Jelle.

Das anderen männlichen Jungtier im Highland Wildlife Park ist Walker, der Sohn von Huggies und Victor, der Victoria's Bruder ist, so Walker ist Victoria's Neffe. Victorias Tochter Milak ist jetzt in Kanada im Zoo Sauvage in St. Felicien, und dort gibt es neben einem anderen weiblichen Eisbärin namens Aisaqvak sowie Walker's Bruder Jelle.

Daughter Milak at left, Mama Victoria at right

Victoria at left, Milak on the right

Victoria with her daughter Milak, with bucket, in earlier days,
 when Victoria still liked her daughter

For the past several years, Victoria has rejected her daughter Milak, and chased her. They had to be kept in separate enclosures, and Milak became friends with Malik, while Victoria lived alone. This rejection is normal in nature, but it was extreme in Victoria's case.

Victoria, born December 12, 1996 in Rostock to Vienna and Churchill, has been at Aalborg most of her life. This week she starts a new chapter in her life.

Victoria, geboren 12. Dezember 1996 in Rostock von Vienna und Churchill gezeugt hat in Aalborg die meiste Zeit ihres Lebens verbracht. In dieser Woche beginnt für sie ein neues Kapitel in ihrem Leben.

Aalborg Zoo polar bear webcam

Highlands Wildlife Park webcam

Here I am, feeding Victoria.
She is very gentle towards people.

 

Queen Victoria