Frühjahrsputz bei Lloyd und Victoria...Spring preparations in Bremerhaven...

Just got the message: From Monday to Friday Lloyd and Victoria will not be on public display as the zoo thinks it is time for some spring preparations: The polar bear pool and the enclosures will be cleaned from scratch, usually done once a year...Not a big deal, you might think, but in fact 1.2 million liter water have to be exchanged, a task demanding lots of logistics...

"Frühjahrsputz bei den Eisbären! In der Zeit vom 01. - 04. März sind unsere Eisbären nicht zu sehen!

Einmal im Jahr wird das Wasser in den großen Becken gewechselt und die Anlagen grundgereinigt. In der kommenden Woche ist der Frühjahrsputz bei den Eisbären geplant, um den Besuchern immer einen klaren Einblick in die Unterwasserwelt zu garantieren. Bei dieser Aktion müssen die Eisbären, die zu den besonders gefährlichen Raubtieren gehören, natürlich abgetrennt hinter den Kulissen in ihren Ställen bleiben.

Was sich auf den ersten Blick nicht spektakulär anhört, ist mit einem großen logistischen Aufwand verbunden. 1,2 Millionen Liter Wasser müssen abgelassen werden.

In der Nacht von Montag auf Dienstag wird bei ablaufendem Wasser mittels großer Tauchpumpen und Feuerwehrschläuchen das Wasser über den Willy-Brand-Platz direkt in die Weser abgelassen. Natürlich musste vorher eine Wasseranalyse sicherstellen, dass die Wasserqualität der Weser nicht schadet. Ganz im Gegenteil, die Wasserqualität ist Dank der sehr leistungsfähigen Filteranlage nach einem Jahr immer noch ausgezeichnet.

Ab Dienstag werden die Becken dampfgestrahlt, Rohre auf eventuelle Undichtigkeiten geprüft und ab Donnerstag wieder befüllt.

Bis zu ¾ werden die Becken mit Leitungswasser aufgefüllt, der Rest mit einer 27 %igen Salzsole, die in Tanklastzügen angeliefert wird. Über die Hochwasserschutzmauer wird mittels Feuerwehrschläuchen die salzige Flüssigkeit direkt in die Becken gegeben, bis wie im natürlichen Meerwasser eine Konzentration von 3,5% Salz erreicht ist. Die leistungsfähige Filter-/Umwälzanlage sorgt für die notwendige Vermischung.

Ab Freitag sind die Eisbären dann wieder alle zu sehen."

Source: Zoo am Meer-newsletter 1/2010

Photo credits:.....to be honest, I have no clue where I have got the photo from, I will have to do some hard thinking about where I left the link, so please be patient, it will come!

More sad and also belated news...Alexis Martinez & Dawn Brancheau RIP

Dawn Brancheau, 40, animal trainer, died during a performance at Seaworld Orlando in Florida last Wednesday on 24 February. Tilikum, the orca she had been working with, had pulled her by her pony tail into the water where she drowned. This is Tillikum..., captured 1983 in Iceland, and the only breeding male at Seaworld Orlando. The 30 years old orca will not be put down but handled differently now. He is at 12 tons the world's biggest captive orca and as he was already involved in a previous accident in which a trainer was killed, he was not trained to do water work, just splashes and jumps. Dawn Brancheau had been working with him for 16 years.

A similar accident happened already on Christmas 2009 in the Spanish Seaworld Park Loro Parque in Tenerife . Alexis Martinez, 29, died during a training session with Keto, a 14 year old orca. An unexpected move by Keto made Alexis Martinez fall into the water where he died by asphyxia caused by compression of the chest. Here you can find a video which was posted "in Loving Memory of Alexis Martínez ', showing him and orca whales at work...

With this posting I want to express my sympathy to the families, friends and collegues, it is a tragedy when a dedicated animal trainer dies while working with the animals she/he cared for.

This posting is not meant to discuss orcas in captivity or training animals for shows, there are certainly other places to do so.

Sources & photo credits: Tilikum, more infos to orcas working at Seaworld parks on Orca Spirit, more photos here, article here and here (about he first show yesterday after the accident)

The sad news at the end of February - Kleines Kragenbärchen Tiger...Moon bear cub Tiger RIP

Dies ist Tiger, ein kleines neugeborenes Kragenbärchen aus dem Rescue Center Tam Do...-

This is little Moon bear Tiger, an abandoned newborn in the Rescue Center Tam Do located in Vietnam, run by Animal Asia. Found at the beginning of the new moon year, it was named Tiger. One of the rescued females had given birth unnoticed and abandoned the little one, found with only one ear. As in bear farms no mating is possible, it is also a hint that the female was hunted recently in the wild...

"Mittwoch, 17. Februar: Als am vergangenen Samstagmorgen das Team im Tam Dao Rettungszentrum für Mondbären seinen Morgenrundgang machte, konnte keiner voraussehen, wie dieser Tag sich entwickeln würde.

In der Quarantänestation mit den kürzlich geretteten 18 überlebenden Bären lag zur Begrüßung auf dem kalten Betonboden unter dem erhöht gestellten Käfig seiner Mutter ein kleines weinendes Neugeborenes. Unsere Bärenmanagerin Belinda nahm es auf und brachte es schnell ins Warme, wo es auch bald die erste Milch (speziell für Welpen) bekam und dankbar annahm.

Zu Ehren des beginnenden neuen Mondjahres wurde es „Tiger“ getauft. Dem kleinen Kerl fehlen die Ohren – vielleicht wurden sie von der Mutter „Italia“ während der Geburt abgebissen – und seine weichen und empfindlichen Pfoten waren eingerissen. Wir vermuten, durch den Betonboden. Sein Gewicht betrug nur 400 Gramm." Trotz aller Liebe und Pflege - leider hat es das kleine Tigerchen nicht geschafft...-
Despite all efforts and love of the staff, little Tiger didn't make it...

RIP, kleiner Mondbär Tiger...!

Please support the work of Animal Asia, a charity based in Hongkong dedicated to ending cruelty and restoring respect for all animals in Asia. It is thanks to their work during the last 12 years and her tiredles founder Jill Robinson, that the world has started to take notice about the bear bile farms, especially of the pain of the Moon bears ( Asiatic Black bear).

"In countries across Asia, thousands of bears live a life of torture on bear farms, so that their bile can be extracted and used in traditional medicine to cure ailments ranging from headaches to haemorrhoids. Bears are confined in cages which vary from agonisingly tiny "crush" cages to larger pens, all of which cause terrible physical and mental suffering. "

Es gibt auch ein dt. Büro von Animals Asia in München, durch den Blog, kann die Arbeit auch auf deutsch gut nachvollzogen werden, der Link zum dt . Blog findet sich unten.

Sources & photo credits: Animals Asia, Animals Asia Blog/dt., Jill's blog/engl., Knutitis 1 & 2,
Animals Asia on wikipedia-engl.

Frühlingsgefühle und noch ein Tunnelbauer in Bern....Spring in the air and another tunnel....

"Seit Tagen buddelt Braunbär Finn, was das Zeug hält. Es sieht ganz so aus, als wollte er unbedingt auf die andere Seite des Trenngitters ins grössere Gehege des Bärenparks gelangen. Das Loch unterhalb eines Schiebers hat eine bedrohliche Grösse angenommen. Würde Finn so weitergraben, könnte er wohl bald unter dem Zaun durchschlüpfen. Dort wohnt Bärin Björk – wie man seit dem Wochenende weiss, mit zwei Jungen – und streift seit ein paar Tagen wieder durch den Park. «Das hat Finn wohl auch bemerkt und darum zu graben angefangen», sagt Bärenwärter Walter Bosshard.

Bärenvater Finn darf aber seine Bärin und den Nachwuchs nicht beschnuppern. Finn wäre eine Gefahr für die Kleinen. Darum werden seine Frühlingsgefühle gebremst. Am Mittwoch verstärkten Mitarbeiter des Tierparks den Boden beim Gitter mit Beton, wie Projektleiter Jürg Hadorn bestätigte. Das ist nötig, obschon der Aarehang bereits mit zahlreichen Spundwänden verbaut ist.
Finns Frühlingsgefühle sind einfach zu stark."Another tunnel in Bern, brown bear Finn, yes, the one who was shot in November after a young man had entered his enclosure, was seen too very busy recently digging a tunnel...A tunnel with consequences as you can see in the video of the article, as it had grown so big that it had to be filled with concrete in order to keep him still away from Björk (right), his partner, who just emerged from hibernation having given birth to two little cubs...Obviously Finn was very curious to see her again after that long separation , probably fed up of being alone... Very understandable !!!

Knut's outpost is thrilled about the news and wishes the parents all the best, let's hope that the little ones will thrive and make it...

Source & Photo credits: Berner Zeitung/24.02.2010 mit Video, Bärenpark Bern, Björk und Finn sind Eltern/22.02.2010, Kein zweiter Fall Knut in Bern, Lange keine kleinen Bärchen mehr in Bern/22.02.2010 mit Video

Related posting: Braunbär Finn außer Lebensgefahr

Meet Miss Molly - The Tunnel Project - Part 2

Kein Baubär....und auch nicht in Karlsruhe...-
Neither a construction bear ...nor in Karlsruhe... Wir befinden uns hier in Knuts Aussenposten auf Rodrigues...-
Location: Knut's Outpost on Rodrigues Island....
Nachdem wir Vitus und seinen Erdmädels bereits bei ihren Bautätigkeiten über die Schulter gesehen haben, hat Knuts Aussenposten keine Mühe gescheut, um mehr herauszufinden über das Tunnelprojekt, denn schon im November und Dezember gab es auch hier auf Rodrigues irritierende Bauaktivitäten ähnlicher Natur. -

After observing the construction activities of Vitus and his hardworking gals, Knut's Outpost took the liberty to start some investigational work, we wanted to know more about that Tunnel Project, as already in November and December similar activities were reported frequently.
Dieses ungeschnittene und absolut authentische Foto- und Videomaterial legt den Schluss nahe, dass wir es mit einem international operierenden Ring zu tun haben, der selbst vor Kinderarbeit keinen Halt macht...Molly, eine junge Hündin, ist hier noch nicht einmal 5 Monate alt!-

Analysing our material, authentic and provided by locals who were more than alarmed, suggests but one explanation, there is an international operating ring out there, even using the work force of unprotected children. Here we see Molly, a young pup, not yet 5 months old when these photos were taken!



- Please find here The Tunnel Project of Miss Molly on YouTube; you can watch it also raw and unprocessed in mini sequences , Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3 ...(a tribute to everyone having a slow connection...)

- More photos of 'Molly digging' here in a first set on Picasa

Unsere Ermittlungsarbeiten bezüglich dieses Projekts werden selbstverständlich fortgesetzt!-
It goes without saying that we will continue with our investigation!

Vitus und seine Erdmädels....The tunnel project...

Baubären auf dem Weg zur Arbeit in Karlsruhe...-
Construction bears on their way to work in Karlsruhe-Inspektion der Baustelle...-
Inspection of the construction site.... Das sieht nach Überstunden aus...-
It looks as if some overtime will be necessary...Wie immer sind es die Mädels, die am härtesten ackern...-
As usual the ladies are doing the hard work... Noch nicht genug...meint Aufseher Vitus-
Not enough...that is what supervisor Vitus thinks... Weitergraben...-
More digging...Ein Tunnel, aber wohin führt er...?
The question is what will be on the other side of the tunnel ..?



Photo & video credits: Jens
Diese Exklusivfotos wurden in Zusammenhang mit einem höchstinteresanten Bauskandal in Karlsruhe gebracht, doch Knuts Aussenposten liegt Material vor, aus dem sich schließen läßt, dass es eine Verbindung gibt, die weit über die Grenzen Karlsruhes hinausgeht...

These exclusive photos were reported in connection with a highly interesting construction scandal in Karlsruhe, but Knut's outpost will soon be able to present material prooving that there is a dimension which goes much further than Karlsruhe...

Note: The tunnel project started already some time ago...

"Wrap with care - save the polar bear...."- Können Kondome helfen Eisbären zu retten?

Diesen Artikel fand ich über Polar Bear International auf Facebook. Das Center for Biological Diversity hat zum Valentinstag mit 3000 freiwilligen Helfern 100 000 Kondome kostenlos verteilt, alle hübsch verpackt und mit Slogans versehen, die auf den Zusammenhang von Überbevölkerung und der Gefahr des Aussterbens bestimmter Tiere hinweisen sollen. Eine ungewöhnliche, aber tolle Idee, wie ich finde...

The Center for Biological Diversity is spreading the word about the impact of population growth on the environment by distributing condoms with cheeky slogans.

Can Condoms Help Save Polar Bears?

By SINDYA N. BHANOO

An environmental group is distributing hundreds of thousands of free condoms with hopes that it will educate the public about the impact of human overpopulation on endangered species.

The condoms are enclosed in colorful packaging bearing images of endangered species like polar bears, jaguars and the Puerto Rico rock frog. The images are accompanied by slogans like “Wrap with care, save the polar bear,” and “Cover your tweedle, save the burying beetle.”

More than 3,000 volunteers have come forward to distribute the 100,000 condoms in bars, supermarkets, schools, concerts and in other public places, according to Kierán Suckling, the executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, the nonprofit group that spearheaded the project.

“It’s a way to make people laugh, shock people a little bit and get them talking,” he said.

Highways, housing developments, depleted water resources and rising greenhouse gas emissions are a few ways that human population growth affects endangered species, Mr. Suckling said. But the primary goal of the project is to show other environmental groups that talking about overpopulation ought not be taboo, he said.

“Overpopulation is the driving force behind virtually all environmental problems — air pollution, water pollution, the extinction crisis, global warming, yet it is rarely ever addressed by conservation groups,” he said. “They are really afraid of touching the issue and appearing antihuman.”

Discussions of the impact of population growth on the environment, however, do tend to stir passions. A study by a group of statisticians from Oregon State University, for example, which Green Inc. reported on last August, examined the carbon dioxide emissions associated with having a child.

“In discussions about climate change, we tend to focus on the carbon emissions of an individual over his or her lifetime,” Paul Murtaugh, a professor of statistics at Oregon State, said in a statement accompanying the study’s release. “Those are important issues, and it’s essential that they should be considered. But an added challenge facing us is continuing population growth and increasing global consumption of resources.”

Hundreds of Green Inc. readers responded to the item — many with a roll of the eyes. “So to save the world, we need to destroy our species,” wrote one reader, calling himself Dennis from the Bronx. “Great theory.”

The condom project, which began on Valentines Day, has been drawing similarly mixed reactions. “This is sick,” wrote one commenter at the environment blog of The Orange County Register. “Not that condoms are bad. But the reasoning behind this is disturbing and seems driven by sociopaths.”

Still, in an unscientific poll at that site — which asks “Should environmental activists distribute free endangered-species condoms in Orange County?” — more than 30 of the 50 or so respondents so far have answered “yes.”

The Center for Biological Diversity said it quickly ran out of the 100,000 condoms it initially ordered, and that an order for 500,000 more had been placed. Mr. Suckling says he does not plan to sell the condoms, despite their apparent popularity.

“The value of getting these out there means more to us,” he said.

The group also started a Web site that delves into how human population growth has affected endangered species.

The human population stands at 6.8 billion and is projected to reach at least 9 billion by 2050. “Without universal access to free birth control and engaging public education about the serious consequences of overpopulation, the global population could reach 15 billion by mid-century,” said Serraglio. “The Earth simply can’t sustain that many people and provide a high-quality life for all species, including humans.”

You want to win a life time's supply of condoms, click here , unfortunately you have to be American or resident of the District of Columbia, I couldn't fill in the forms! Note, life time supply has been estimated at 2,000...))

Source: Green Inc.- The New York Times/ 19.02.2010o
Related: Center of Biological Diversity , About the event & incl. pics of the other condom packages

Winterluft ...Love in the air....

Dieses Jahr waren die Drei Damen vom Grill nicht so richtig in Stimmung, Weiberfastnacht zu begehen, wen wundert's, denn Lars ist ja nun in Wuppertal...Dafür vernügten sie sich diesmal anderweitig, zumindest Nancy & Katjuscha...-
This year the 3 ladies were not really up to celebrating Women's Carnival Day, no big surprise as it is less fun without potential victims and as Lars is now in Wuppertal...But Nancy and Katjuscha show that they at least know how to have fun without Lars.......Hier Lars am Rosenmontag in Wuppertal, schön wie eh und je...-
Who seems to enjoy perfectly himself in the snow on Monday...Noch immer fängt er den Fisch am lässigsten...-
Catching fish as usual, the carefree way...Wenn er keinen Fisch fängt, dann vergnügt er sich mit der schönen Jerka...-
Beside fish he has got it all...
Schmusen im Schnee....und das schon den ganzen Winter, gibt es etwas Besseres...?
What could be better than cuddling up with beautiful Jerka the whole snowy winter season...?
Und was haben wir in dieser Kiste...?-
And what is hiding in this crate...?Klar, das kann nur ein Bär auf seinem Weg nach Hause sein....-
Sure, this can only be a bear on his way home...

Ein anderes Traumpaar endlich wieder zusammen, seit dem 15. Januar ist Umca nämlich wieder zurück aus Bratislava bei seiner Liebsten Cora in Brno...-
Yes, eventually together again...since January 15 Umca has been back home from Bratislava to Brno, warmest received by his wife Cora...Another dream team...

Sources & photo credits: ChristinaM, Umcas Umzug mit vielen Fotos!, more Umca & Cora pics,
Zoo Wuppertal (the private website): Zwei Schmusebären/21 December 2009, Jerka&Lars am Rosenmontag - this website can only be recommended, lots of beautiful Jerka & Lars pics, just enjoy!

Playing & Flirting in Seneca....Zero & Aurora

Hier haben wir wieder Zero, nun in Seneca, wo er bereits am 21. Januar angekommen war, der Öffentlichkeit und Presse wurde er allerdings erst letzten Freitag vorgestellt, und zwar schon zusammen mit Aurora. Zero scheint den Umzug gut verkraftet zu haben und wie man sieht, ist es bereits zu Annäherungen mit Aurora gekommen...
Zero the polar bear arrives in town

Whether they were just playing together or engaged in some serious flirting, Zero and Aurora were at the center of attention Friday.

Zero — all 1,150 pounds of him — is the latest addition to the Seneca Park Zoo, having recently arrived from the Milwaukee County Zoo. He made his Rochester debut at a news conference unveiling him to the public.

Aurora, who had been the only polar bear here until Zero's arrival, seemed delighted to have a new companion as they frolicked together in the zoo's Rocky Coasts exhibition area.

"Cubs are certainly the long-term goal of this couple," said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks at a news conference at the zoo.

She went on to say: "Is there any better time of the year to announce a great relationship than Valentine's Day?"

Zero was recommended for the Seneca Park Zoo by the Polar Bear Species Survival Plan, a conservation breeding program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

In Milwaukee, Zero and his mate had not been able to produce offspring, but the hope is that Zero will find fatherhood here.

After the introductory comments were made at Friday's news conference, the 20-year-old Zero entered the exhibition area and chased Aurora before they fell in the water together.

Aurora, who is about the same age as Zero but half his weight, has been without a mate since August 2008, when Yukon the polar bear died.

But Aurora made it clear that she was not bullied and that she'd get her fair share of some fish given to the couple in a block of ice.

"He'd get close to it and she'd charge at him," said Veronica Siaca, 21 of Rochester.

Claiming that Aurora was playing hard to get, Siaca added: "He has not quite figured out how to approach her."

Siaca's fiancé, Ryan Douglas, 27, of Rochester, blamed Zero for lacking "swagger" and not standing firm.

"He's a teddy bear, not a polar bear," Douglas said.

Source: here, see video here

A big thank you to Pam from Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester who sent me the photo of Zero and the link to the article...

Knut & Gianna ....Every day a Valentine's Day.....

Wie immer etwas später als alle anderen, aber wen kümmert's?-
As usual a bit late, but who cares...

Nach einem nicht ganz einfachen Auftakt im Herbst, scheinen Knut & Gianna mittlerweile einfach unzertrennlich zu sein...-
After a slighly difficult start in autumn, Knut & Gianna seem to be unseperable now...
Oft sieht man sie verknotet ineinander...-
Often one can see them tied together...
Sich im Arm haltend und Süßholz raspelnd...-
Holding each other tight, saying sweet things to each other...Sie scheinen nicht genug voneinander zu bekommen...-
They can't get enough of each other...Neugier inbegriffen...Gianna will es wie immer ganz genau wissen!-
Gianna's curiosity is alreeady legendary... Eine kleine Massage gefällig, Schatz?-
A little massage, my dear?
Schnee kann so romantisch sein...wenn man mit dem richtigen Eisbären zusammen ist...-
Isn't it romantic to roll in the snow, especialy when together with Mr.Right......einer der weiß, wo es am meisten kitzelt...-
...who seems exactly to know where his lady's got her ticklish parts...

Hier gibt es einen stürmischen Knut, der mit Gianna im Schnee spielt, denn darum geht es bei den beiden 3 jährigen Eisbärkids trotz aller Intimitäten noch immer...-
Enjoy here a stormy Knut playing with Gianna in the snow, 2 polar bear kids frolicking, beside all intimacy, it's just about that: sharing playful moments together ...



Photo credits: Isle (1), Frans (2), ChristinaM (3,9), SimoneF (4, 5), Petra W (6,7), MarionK (8) -All photos found via Knutitis...There are many more beautiful photos taken under the freezing conditions of this winter, thanks to all photographers who didn't mind ice & snow just to visit the young couple...!

Video credits: ChristinaM/12.02.2010 - more videos of the last days can be found there...

新年快乐 - KUNG SHEE FAT CHOY....

Es ist Zeit für den Tiger....Allen Freunden, die das Chinesische Neujahrsfest begehen, wünscht Knuts Aussenposten ein tolles Fest und alles Gute für dieses Jahr!-

Time for the tiger...and Kung Shee Fat Choy to all our friends who celebrate Chinese Spring Festival...

Please find here more about the Year of the Tiger....Mehr zum Jahr des Tigers hier...

Photo credits: Janosch

Mercedes Enkelin in Japan geht spazieren....First Walk for Ohoto's Cub in Wakayama

Auch wenn es nicht so aussieht auf dem Foto, ganz offensichtlich hatte Ohotos Tochter vor wenigen Tagen Ausgang im Wakayama Adventure World Park, wie man auch im Video sehen kann...-

Although it doesn't look like it, Ohoto's cub was on a little excursion tour with her keeper in Wakayama's Adventure World, bits and pieces to be seen on the video.

Wir erinnern uns, am 13. Oktober wurde Mercedes Oma dieses kleinen Würmchens, das mit der Hand aufgezogen wird und das noch immer keinen Namen hat. Laut eines japanischen Freundes soll Mercedes Tochter Ohoto insgesamt 9 mal geboren haben, wobei es aber nie zu einer Aufzucht kam.-

We remember, on October 13 last year Ohoto, long-time- disappeared daughter of Mercedes, gave birth to a tiny cub, making Mercedes a grand-ma. Ohoto is said to have given birth about 9 times, due to a friend's statement from Japan, not a single cub before survived.



Die Bilder des Videos geben vielleicht einen guten Aufschluss darüber, wie anders die Sicht auf Eisbären in Japan ist, besonders wenn sie in einem Vergnügnungspark geboren werden. Das Ambiente der Aufzuchtsumgebung wirkt eger steril, auch noch unterstrichen durch die weiße Schutzkleidung der Zoomitarbeiter, das Harnass mit der Kette, das Riesenrad im Hintergrund... - ein Bärenjunges, das übrigens kurz nach seiner Geburt bereits von Zuschauern durch die Glasscheibe beobachtet werden konnte. Ähnliche Outdoor- Bilder wie im Video kennen wir auch von TaoTao aus China. Wie beschaulich und "frei" wirkte dagegen Knut mit Thomas Dörflein bei seinen Spaziergängen frühmorgens im Zoo oder beim Spielen in den "Knut-Shows"...

The video shows a bit how different the view on polar bears is in Japan, especially when born in an adventure park. Where the cub is raised, the atmosphere seems rather sterile, highlighted even by the white protective clothes of the zoo keeper, the harnass, the ferris wheel in the background... - by the way, the cub was already in November on public display behind glass. Concerning the outdoor impressions, they seem familiar too when thinking of Taotao from China. In contrast, how "care-free and natural" seemed Knut with Thomas Dörflein during their early-morning-walks or when playing during the "Knut-shows"...

Source: Otakuden, Adventure World Wakayama

In the zoo gallery you can see as well a cute emperor penguin chick born on the same day, with 313 g just 411 g lighter than the little bear cub...

Video: youtube

Related posting: Happy Birthday Surprises

More recent outdoor and indoor photos of Ohotos cub here and here, unfortunately I am not allowed to post some of them...((

Und noch mehr Zero....Zero's reflections...

No news so far about Zero, just that he arrived already on 21 January at Seneca Park in Rochester. While waiting for first reports on how he is adjusting to his new environment and Aurora, the widow, here some reflections of Zero while contemplating in the moat after his fall in 2008, made available by Jim Stingl who was so kind to send me Zero's verse....


"And now a word from Zero, who in addition to being a polar bear in
Milwaukee is evidently a bad poet:

Hey everybody, what's happening, yo 'sup, I've fallen and in this case I
can get back up.

I just don't want to, if you really must know, maybe I'll stay here
until the first snow.

You've probably read that I'm down in the moat, send ACORN* over so I'm
able to vote.

It happened this week as I played with my toys, I'm suing the zoo and
all it employs.

Surviving the fall should go on a plaque, I'm bigger than Ringo and I
still write back.

It wasn't quite graceful, I hit with a splat, do you think this white
fur makes me look fat?

Life in a moat is sometimes a hassle, especially when it doesn't even
come with a castle.

You're really not supposed to fall in a gorge, unless of course you're
Curious George.

For me this canyon is rather cathartic, but still I'd rather be up in
the Arctic.

Walking on sea ice before it's all melted, instead with peanuts I'm
constantly pelted.

I'd sooner be living in this tiny box, than out there with you and your
tail-spinning stocks.

If I could escape I'd eat you, you know, up here on Blue Mound, that's
how we roll.

This moat is my home now come shine or come rain, unless y'all offer a
ride on the train.That's my demand, you bet I'm emphatic, either that or a toy from the
cool Mold-A-Matic*.

I wound up down here in the blink of an eye, oh, and your cousins, the
bonobos, said to say "Hi."

I'm staying positive and saying my prayers, please God I'm not linked
with that terrorist Ayers.

Sure, I'm stuck on this parcel of land, but free from the stunts of the
UW band.

I like where I am, don't make such a fuss, and it's safer than driving
an MCTS bus.

It's nifty down here with the nets and the sewers, it helps me get over
the choke by the Brewers.

By the way, I didn't fall, I was actually pushed, but here at the zoo
they're keeping it shushed.

OK, I'm lying, yet you have to admit, people now come here
lickety-split.

Folks dig animals caught up in trouble, it's surprising they don't raise
the prices to double.

People show up like it's middle of summer, I keep scanning the crowd for
Joe the Plumber.

For once it's not about darling Mahal, the orangutan everyone likes cuz
he's small.

Or Samson, who even these years after croaking is still tops in your
hearts and totally smoking.

If it weren't for my fall, you wouldn't care one iota, and don't even
get me started on Lota.

At long frickin' last, it's all eyes on Zero, you're talking to me,
aren't you, De Niro? "


Source: What's worse: Bear's accident or his verse?
JIM STINGL, Publication Date: October 17, 2008

*Notes:
-Zero's fall, and in consequence his verse, happened in October 2008, in the heat of the up-coming US elections. In the comments I will copy an article Jim sent to me which explains the role of ARCON, just for all who are not familiar with it...

-Mold-A-Matic (better known as Mold-A-Rama) has machines at various locations at Milwaukee Zoo. You put in a little money and, while you watch, the machine molds a bear or elephant or other animal out of plastic, and it's yours to keep. Kids love it. More about them and how they work here and here...This is a molded polar bear from a machine in St.Louis Zoo. I didn't find one from Milwaukee Zoo.

Photo credits/& related: Milwaukee Zoo, WISN (see also slideshow), Mold-A-Rama Ville