Polar bears woke to surprise winter wonderland in zoo

On Friday morning, nearly 26 tons of show blanketed the polar bear exhibit at San Diego Zoo for the benefit of Kalluk, Tatqiq and Chinook, who frolicked in the natural element and wrestled with each other.



Staff said yams, carrots, melons and beef femur bones also were scattered throughout the exhibit as added enrichment. The bears pounced and dug for their prizes. The annual enrichment was made possible by donors who contributed to the animal care wish list from the zoo.





“This was a special day for the polar bears, and I could tell they really loved it,” said Susan Purtell, senior keeper at the Balboa Park zoo. “It was great seeing them roll around in the snow, showcasing their natural behaviours.” Among other things, they slid, dug and pounced on the snow. Bears use these actions to help them break through ice to reach seal dens.


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All three bears were rescued at a young age, so they had to learn these behaviours without the help of their mothers. Kalluk and Tatqiq’s mother was shot and killed when they were young cubs, the zoo said, and Chinook’s mother was nowhere to be found when the young cub was discovered roaming around the streets of a city alone.