Sonntag, 21. Februar 2010

"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?

Mittwoch, 17. Februar 2010

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!

Montag, 15. Februar 2010

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...

Sonntag, 14. Februar 2010

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

Donnerstag, 11. Februar 2010

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...((

Donnerstag, 4. Februar 2010

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

Montag, 1. Februar 2010

Ein Bär wird abserviert....Bad in bed...Zero & The Ladies...

Zero

Über Zero in Milwaukee berichten wir nicht zum ersten Mal, irgendwie hat dieser Bär einen Sinn fürs Tragische, unvergessen sein Grabenfall im Herbst 2008...-

It is not for the first time that we write about Zero in Milwakee, surely one of those bears who has undoubtedly some sense for tragic...Who does not remember his moat ordeal in fall 2008...?

Zero in October 2008

Auch heute geht es wieder um einen Fall, diesmal kein Grabenfall, sondern eher der tiefe Fall eines Bärenmannes aus den Gnaden einer Bärendame, die zu erfreuen und zu schwängern seine Aufgabe gewesen wäre...

You might say, today again it's about a fall, but a rather different one, concerning Zero's lover abilities...but read for yourself....

Zero & Snow Lilly

Polars apart, Zero and mate breaking up

"Heaping indignity on top of captivity, the Milwaukee County Zoo has announced that Zero the polar bear is bad in bed.

So inept, in fact, that he'll be making the walk of shame to a different zoo. That's right. Zero has so literally lived up to his name sexually that he's being kicked out of Milwaukee. Think it can't happen to you? Don't push your luck.

Polar bears apparently run the same risk as place-kickers. If you can't split the uprights, people may want you gone.

Middle-aged Zero failed to impregnate or even put many moves on our zoo's female polar bear, Snow Lilly, over the past four years. So off he goes to the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, N.Y., where a hot number named Aurora is already applying her makeup.

Aurora from Rochester, the widow...

"Maybe he just needs the right partner," said that zoo's spokeswoman, Pam Cowan.

If it doesn't work out, Zero can try the zoo in Viagra Falls.

Now, as you know, relationships are more complicated than they appear in a press release. Maybe Snow Lilly is frigid, which is probably a plus for polar bears.

I had a conversation Tuesday with Jan Rafert, who is in charge of primates and small mammals at Milwaukee's zoo and, at the moment, is also the acting curator for bears.

"Basically, Snow Lilly and Zero pretty much kept to themselves. There's two dens in back, and they each have their own preference and each stayed on one side," he said.

Separate bedrooms! It's worse than I thought. Hate to say it, Zero, but she's just not that into you, but you may feel the same.

"For one reason or another, the male and female may not find each other attractive," Rafert said. "They just seem to be more like an old married couple. They get along fine, but sex is not a big part of their relationship."

"We haven't seen that much breeding activity. I don't know if we've ever seen any," Rafert said.

Dr. Phil couldn't fix this sexless marriage. See, it's not always global warming that threatens the survival of polar bears. Regardless of the temperature, Snow Lilly clearly doesn't want to be below Zero.

You knew the fire was out in 2008 when Zero chose 18 days in a moat over getting his mojo working with the missus. One theory is that Zero hates the Cubs so much that he doesn't want to father one. And Snow Lilly was overheard telling him, "Get your dirty paws off me."

In Zero's defense, Snow Lilly is an unproven breeder, an expression you don't want to say to her face. She seems to have irregular cycles, which hasn't helped her in the preggers department.

Or perhaps it's Zero. "It may be that he does not have viable sperm. One of the things we're looking at is possibly seeing if we can get a semen sample at the time of transport," Rafert said.

Hmm, sounds dangerous.

"He'd be anesthetized," he said.

That's good.

But none of that matters if the two bears never get busy anyway. If you're stuck in a zoo all day, I would think this would be a decent way to kill time. Look at the bonobos. They can't get enough of that funky stuff. Zookeepers are practically handing out condoms over there.

Well, so long, Zero. It's been good staring at you. For all of your 20 years, Milwaukee was home.

I'm sure Rochester's widowed Aurora is a lovely bear. Make us proud and take her for a ride on the 1,100 pound polar express."


Aurora from Cleveland Metropark Zoo- thinking of her intimate past with Zero..?

Als ob die Demütigung der Gefangenschaft für Zero nicht genug sei, hat nun der Milwaukee County Zoo bekanntgegeben, dass er, der Eisbär, im Bett schlecht sei.

So unfähig sogar, dass er in der Tat den Weg der Schande zu einem anderen Zoo antreten werde. Ja, ganz richtig gelesen. Offenbar hat Zero seinem Namen im Bereich des Sexuellen so ernst genommen, sodass er schlichtweg aus Milwaukee rausgeschmissen wird. Denken Sie, Ihnen könne sowas nicht passieren? Seien Sie vorsichtig.

Eisbären laufen scheinbar das gleiche Risiko wie Platz-Kicker. Wenn Sie nicht anständig den Pfosten geteilt bekommen, kann es sein, dass man Sie nur noch weghaben will.

Zero, der Eisbär mittleren Alters, hat es in ganzen 4 Jahren nicht geschafft Snow Lilly mit seiner Leibesfrucht zu segnen. Also geht's nun auf zum Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, NY, wo eine heiße Nummer namens Aurora bereits dabei ist, ihr Make-up aufzulegen.

"Vielleicht braucht er einfach nur die richtige Partnerin", sagte die Zoo-Sprecherin Pam Cowan.

Sollte Rochester nicht funktionieren, gibt es noch den Zoo in Viagra Falls, den Zero probieren könnte.

Nun, wie Sie wissen, sind die Beziehungen komplizierter, als sie in einer Pressemitteilung erscheinen. Vielleicht ist Snow Lilly frigide, was wahrscheinlich für Eisbären ein Plus ist.

Am Dienstag hatte ich ein Gespräch mit Jan Rafert, Leiter der Abteilung Primaten und kleine Säugetiere im Zoo Milwaukee, und zur Zeit auch amtierender Kurator für Bären.

"Wenn man es genau nimmt, haben Snow Lilly und Zero sich ziemlich seperat gehalten. Es gibt zwei Höhlen hinten, sie haben beide jeweils ihre eigenen Vorlieben und jeder blieb auf seiner Seite", sagte er.

Getrennte Schlafzimmer! Es ist schlimmer als ich dachte. Zero, ich hasse es auszusprechen, aber sie ist ganz offensichtlich nicht auf dich abgefahren.

"Aus dem einem oder anderen Grund, haben sich das Männchen und das Weibchen offensichtlich nicht attraktiv gefunden", sagte Rafert. "Sie ähneln einem alten Ehepaar, was sich gut verträgt, aber wo Sex keine große Rolle innerhalb der Beziehung spielt."

"Wir haben keine größeren Reproduktionsaktivitäten gesehen. Um ehrlich zu sein, ich weiß gerade nicht, ob wir überhaupt jemals welche gesehen haben", sagte Rafert.

Dr. Phil konnte dieser gesclechtslosen Ehe auch nicht auf die Sprünge helfen. Sehen Sie, nicht immer ist es die globale Erderwärmung, die das Überleben der Eisbären bedroht. Offenbar mochte Snow Lilly sich unabhängig von der Temperatur, nicht unter Zero (Null) aufhalten.

Wissen Sie, 2008 war das Feuer aus, als Zero es vorzog lieber 18 Tage in einem Wassergraben zu verbringen, anstatt seine Körperflüssigkeiten bei der Dame zum Einsatz zu bringen.Eine Theorie ist, dass Zero Eisbärbabies so sehr hasst, dass er nicht der Erzeuger von einem sein will. Snow Lilly widerum wurde belauscht als sie ihm riet, seine " dreckigen Pfoten" weg von ihr zu lassen.

Zu Zeros Verteidigung muss angeführt werden, dass Snow Lilly's Zuchteigenschaften unbewiesen sind, ein Ausdruck, den Sie ihr vielleicht nicht gerade ins Gesicht sagen wollen. Sie scheint unregelmäßige Zyklen zu haben, die der Abteilung Schwangerschaft nicht gerade dienlich waren.

Oder vielleicht liegt es an Zero. "Es kann sein, dass er keine lebensfähigen Spermien hat. Wir werden versuchen, noch eine Samenprobe zum Zeitpunkt des Transports zu bekommen," sagte Rafert.

Hmm, klingt gefährlich.

"Er würde dann betäubt", sagte er.

Das ist gut.

Aber das alles spielt sowieso keine Rolle, wenn sich die zwei Bären sowieso nie zu nahe kommen. Wenn Sie gezwungen sind, den ganzen Tag in einem Zoo auszuharren, hielte ich dies doch für eine angemessene Beschäftigung, um die Zeit totzuschlagen. Schauen Sie sich die Bonobos an. Sie können davon gar nicht genug bekommen. Tierpfleger müssen dort praktisch ständig Kondome rüberreichen.

Zero, mach' gut. Es war gut, dich hier immer zu sehen. In all deinen 20 Jahren war Milwaukee dein Zuhause.

Ich bin sicher, die verwitwete Aurora in Rochester ist eine schöne Bärin. Mach uns stolz und nimm sie mit auf eine Fahrt auf dem 1100-Pfund Polar Express.

Will Aurora from Seneca Rochester really be the answer for Zero??? It would not be his first Aurora....

"The subjects of this study are Aurora (0.1) and Zero (1.0). Both were born in captivity. Aurora (2702) was born at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on 13 November 1982, and Zero (3407) was born at Milwaukee County Zoo on 14

December 1989. They were introduced to each other for the first time on 4 May 1993. The first set of observations was made between 3 December 1993 and 17 July 1995. The activity patterns during this period were reported earlier (Grittinger, 1997). At that time, Aurora was maintained on contraceptive injections of Depo-Provera® (medroxyprogesterone acetate).

The second set of observations extended from 17 May 1999 to 19 January

2001. Aurora was not on contraceptives during this period, and oestrous signs and attempted copulations were observed by the keepers from time to time. She was even separated from Zero on various occasions with the hope of pregnancy, but this did not occur. Aurora was finally donated to Cleveland Zoo on 5 February 2001, ending the observations."

We asked Aurora from Cleveland Metropark directly about Zero's abilities in bed, but ...."No comments!"

Zero, alles Gute also dann mit der Witwe in Seneca, die übrigens noch vor nicht allzu langer Zeit in die Schlagzeilen kam durch ihre Scheinschwangerschaft nach Ehemann Yukons Tod...Alle Augen sind nun auf dich gerichtet, viel Glück und Sei doch einfach mal verliebt...!!!!

So Zero, we just wish you good luck with the widow who by the way made headlines with a fake pregnancy after her husband Yukon died...All eyes will be on you now...Just Do IT!!!

Source: Jim Stingl who I want to thank for the authorization to use his great column about Zero!

Other sources:
Milwaukee Zoo, About Snow Lilly.
Sorry, as to the copied study about Zero & Aurora, I did not find the link anymore to the pdf file...

Photo credits: Aurora from Cleveland on Halloween, Zero with Snow Lilly (see also rescue story and video)

Related posts: A bear and a fall in fall/October 2008, Brautschau/Febr.2009 (about
Aurora the widow),
Aurora- ein Sonnenstern/Febr.2009, Eine andere Aurora/Febr.2009 (Aurora from Cleveland Metropark Zoo)

Sonntag, 31. Januar 2010

Happy Birthday, Salt & Pepper....!!!

Wo sind sie denn bloß, nicht dass sie auf einmal gar nicht heute Geburtstag haben???-
Where the hell are they...? Are you sure , it's the right day??????

Anyway here they are...Salt & Pepper...


Located in the Salangsdalen valley in the Bardu municipality in the county of Troms, the park covers an area of around 275 acres of wild and breath taking nature which serves as a part of the animal enclosures and total experience of visiting the zoo.

Salt and Pepper

Two brown bear cubs were born in Polar Zoo close to the end of January, one male and one female. The two little ones have already made headlines all over the world, mainly since the female is a very rare albino brown bear.

The brown bear cubs are now part of a socializing project taking place in Polar Zoo to increase animal’s welfare in captivity according to Polar Zoo animal welfare politics.

The albino female cub is called Salt while our male is called Pepper, their names originate from the color of their fur.

You can follow the socializing process through the Polar Zoo’s live bear web cam.

Pepper the movie star

Pepper has already stared in the new movie YOHAN, that will be released (in both Norwegian and English) on December 11, 2009. The film is based on the real life experiences of children who were sent out to “wander” in search of work during the 1800’s and early 1900’s in Southern Norway. Another star in the movie is Alexander Rybak.

Bear cubs set for national celebrity
Two little bear cubs, one of which was born a rare albino at the Polar Zoo in Bardu, Nord-Troms, are poised for national star status. A documentary about the unusual siblings, who emerged with their mother after her hibernation last winter, is being prepared for Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) and set for broadcast next year. The bears, named "Salt" and "Pepper," already have attracted record visitors to the zoo and now local newspaper Nye Troms has reported that Harstad firm Relation 04 has followed their first year of life on tape. The documentary will show both the bear cubs' public life and how they're cared for behind the scenes.

Also um ehrlich zu sein, wir haben nicht herausbekommen, wann Salt und Pepper wirklich Geburtstag haben, immer heißt es Ende Januar, und so haben wir denn auch artig bis fast ganz zum Schluss des Januars gewartet, um zum ersten Geburtstag zu gratulieren.-

To be honest, we still don't know the exact birthday of Salt & Pepper, just that it was by the end of January last year, so we waited more or less until the last hours of the last January day - so it can't at least not be too early...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SALT & PEPPER!!!!!


Source and more photos of Salt & Pepper : Polarzoo.no

Related articles:Blog Norway. Com/August 2009 (engl.), Nordlys/July 2009, Aftenposten/August 2009, (Deutsche Übersetzungen hier), Norway News English/January 2010, Albino Bear Charms Crowds/ Norway News August 2009; Pepper the movie star

Photo credits: Two Bear Cubs - Salt and Pepper, 14 pics

Related posting: Salt & Pepper/April 2009