November Offspring News 2010....Eisbärwinzlinge in Aalborg und Rhenen

Malik 2009 at Aalborg Zoo/Photo:Sussi Kober

Nach der Ankündigung zu Ulli und Gerhard J's einmaligem Eisbärmelderegister, geht es auch gleich direkt weiter mit den ersten Geburtsverzeichnissen....Erster Eisbärennachwuchs gibt es in Aalborg/Dänemark und in Rhenen/Holland.

Malik hat am 20. November 2010 drei Jungtiere bekommen, zwei der Kleinen sind leider schon gestorben, aber Nummer Drei ist ein Kämpfer, man kann Mutter und Kind mit einer Webcam beobachten. Hier auf dieser Seite sieht man sogar noch alle 3 Winzlinge. Wie man oben sehen kann, ist Malik eine erfindungsreiche und rückzugsgewohnte Eisbärin, der Vater ist Felix, und wir halten unsere Daumen weiterhin gedrückt, dass ihr Nachwuchs durchkommt... -

After the announcement of Ulli and Gerhad's unique Bearsonal Register we just continue with the first recorded births in this season.

On 20 November, Malik from Aalborg Zoo gave birth to 3 little cubs, unfortunately two of them didn't make it. But No.3 is a fighter, mother and cub can be observed by webcam. All 3 cubs can even still be viewed here. As on above photo can be seen, Malik is a rather inventive bear and used to retreat situations, the cub's father is Felix, we keep all our fingers crossed that their tiny offspring will make it...!

Screenshot of webcam video in Rhenen

Auch in den Niederlanden im Ouwehands Dierenpark Rhenen gibt es Nachwuchs bei den Eisbären. Die knapp 9 jährige Freedom hat am 25. November 2010 zwei Jungtiere zur Welt gebracht. Hier ist Viktor der Vater. Ein erstes Video von Freedom mit ihren beiden Kleinen gibt es hier.

On 25 November Freedom, a nearly 9 years old polar bear lady from Ouwehands Dierenpark Rhenen delivered too: in this case little twins, and a lovely first video can be accessed here. Father of the little ones is Viktor.

Knut's Outpost wishes good luck to the polar bear moms and their offspring...!
Also to the ones' of whom we are still waiting for some news to come...as for example in Stuttgart...

Herr Anton muss leider noch weiter warten, bislang tut sich bei Frau Corinna nämlich nichts..., außer dass sie sich beim ersten Schnee (und einen Tag nach der Bombenentschärfung in Zoonähe) mal schnell aus ihrem Innengehege herausbegeben hat, laut Jens eher ähnlich missmutig dreinblickend wie Anton, wahrscheinlich wollte sie nur mal kurz kund tun, dass auch sie ohne Anton alles nur doof findet, selbst Schnee...-

Mister Anton still has to wait, until now Corinna does not show anything..., except of herself during the first snow (and just one day after the zoo was closed for the first time in its history due to bombs which had to be neutralized)...Due to Jens, Corinna left her den not really because of the snow, she was reported to have looked rather disapprovingly, probably she just wanted to make a statement too...nothing is fun when it's without Anton, even snow...

Sources:
- Ulli J's Eisbären
- Jens Blog
- Aaalborg Zoo & Ouwehands Dierenpark Rhenen

Bad news and good news....

The bad news first...

Two polar bear cubs fail to survive their precarious first moments in Aalborg ZooHere is Malik, a female of nearly 9 years in Aalborg. She gave birth for the first time to two tiny cubs on November 29, which you can see here."Everything seemed to be in order. Malik, the mother, was taking good care of her polar bear cubs. They appeared to be suckling normally.

The third day is considered the most critical for polar bear cubs, and unfortunately this was again proven to be true in Aalborg Zoo.Yesterday morning the zookeepers discovered that the cubs seemed to be weak and decided to remove them from their mother to nourish them.

The cubs were dangerously cold and were placed under a heat lamp in a preheated room, where the zookeepers bottle fed them.The plan hinged on recovering their strength before returning them to their mother again. Regrettably, the cubs were so malnourished they died only a few hours later. Aalborg Zoo says evidence indicates that the mother was not releasing milk so the cubs were starving even though they were suckling."

The Good news now...
Polar bears born also at Zoo Sauvage St. Félicien in Canada!

This is Aisaqvaq, a young female of 6 years at Zoo Sauvage St.Félicien. She too gave birth of polar bear twins, just one day later than Malik on November 30. Here the zoo release:
"Polar bears are born!

Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien recorded a major first in Canada this week—one that few zoos anywhere in the world have had the chance to experience—when one of its residents, a female polar bear named Aisaqvaq, gave birth to two cubs on Monday, November 30, 2009. The first cub was born at 7:48 p.m. and the second followed at 10:22 p.m.

Aisaqvaq gave birth to a cub on December 3, 2008, but then ate it, to the extreme disappointment of Zoo employees. This time, however, things are going well. Aisaqvaq is exhibiting good maternal behavior and doing an outstanding job caring for her little ones, who are quick to vocalize if they’re at all uncomfortable.

A den was designed specifically for birthing and while the first cub was born outside it, Aisaqvaq quickly brought him into its confines. The second cub was born in the den and all three have since remained within it, making it impossible to find out whether the cubs are male or female.

Captivating videos of the births of polar bear cubs and of the female caring for her young have been caught."

We are very sad for Malik who was very careful and tender with them.She would certainly have been a wonderful mother. Let's cross the fingers for her that she will be able to have another chance. Concerning Aisaqvaq's twins we really hope that they will be strong enough to make it. So good luck for both polar bear ladies and the Canadian twins!

Photo credits & source:
- St.Fèlicien: Aisaqvaq by André C on flickr & article: Zoo Sauvage St.Félicien

- Aalborg: Malik by Sussi Kober, & article: Aalborg zoo lose new cubs/Copenhagen Post.12.2009

Milak & Victoria in Aalborg....

Huuiii, that's me, Milak,.. not yet water-skiing but enjoying the water....
Find more gorgeous pics of me on Facebook ... This one was posted here and belongs to a set where you can see me on May 9 with my Mom Victoria in my new water paradise...
And here you see me with my sweet Mom ....Sussi made the photos.... Me & Mom on May 17....
Me just 2 days ago, I love my red ball and my tyre and the water...Hi,hi, and who is that...?

Sussi Kober works as a photographer/graphic designer for Aalborg Zoo and she has taken a lot of more photos of Milak and Victoria , so please visit her on facebook....In the right column you find a permanent link in our Kids Corner...I hope it works for non-members of Facebook too...

Photo credits: Scanpix (1), Sussi Kober (2,3,4,5- link leads to her albums on Facebook)
More about Aalborg Zoo and their polar bears here , their video/webcam site you'll find here