The pool in this picture is only a small pool in the feeding area from which visitors can view from the amphiteatre. The main lake is 5000 m² (53820 ft²) while the exhibit itself is 26.000 m² (279.861 ft²) including the lake.
Another great photo from this wonderful park. I wonder what the 3rd best polar bear exhibit on the planet is, as between the Detroit Zoo and the Scandinavian Wildlife Park the top two slots are almost unanimously confirmed.
Where did they optain three bears from? I understand American zoos are having trouble obtaining just singles for all their new exhibits, so that this park could get three I find interesting.
Or is one or more from Aalborg? I know theirs have bred a few times in recent years and the offsprings need to be sent somewhere as I think Aalborg doesn't have space for more than 2-3 animals.
The Scandinavian Wildlife Park originally recieved 2.2 polar bears for the new Polar Bear Park in 2006. Nanok, a young male around 6 or 7 years old now, came from somewhere either in Germany or Italy (can't remember exactly where) and so did Vera, and old female somewhere around 25 years old. The other male and female are Nuuk and Ilka, a brother and sister from Kolmården Djurpark and both around 15 years of age by now. Nuuk has been castrated because he has been living with Ilka all his life.
Vera passed away of old age in 2008 so the park now keeps 2.1 polar bears. Since Nuuk is castrated the breeding hopes for the future lies with Nanok and Ilka. There has been many matings each year during the breeding season (april) but so far no luck.
Regarding breeding of polar bears in Aalborg Zoo you will have to define "recent years". Aalborg Zoos last polar bear cub of the old couple was born in 1998. In 2000 the bears received their new home but not until 2008 was another cub born. Milak is now 1,5 years old and still living in Aalborg with the two females Victoria (his mother) and Malik. Malik also gave birth to two cubs in december 2009 but sadly they both died.
So Aalborg Zoo currently keeps 1.2 polar bears and no breeding male. The father of the cubs from 2008 and 2009 was Felix. He lived in Aalborg for two years on a breeding loan and returned to Nürnberg Zoo in late april 2010 just after the breeding season, so hopefully he will get to father a few more cubs in Aalborg around december.
Thank you Toddy for your extensive information. It is almost expected from you every time!
I guess that at some point Malik has to be sent from Aalborg, especially if they manage to get a male in the future, so it would be nice if it didn't have to go any further. The new male and Malik could hardly be in the exhibit at the same time. But then the ratio would be 3.1 so they rather need a female from somewhere.
Yes, there you almost answered you own question regarding how the Scandinavian Wildlife Park managed to get four polar bears. One was very old, one was very young and one was castrated.
