Sea World Gold Coast Sea World Gold Coast

Not to bombard with polar bear related talk/updates, but I had the confidence to ask the keeper some questions after the talk today, and there’s some clarification, contradiction, and additional info I’d be remiss not to share.

First, clarification. Pre-COVID, they’d planned to transfer ‘Sura’ (seemingly a 5 y/o female from Ouwenhands Zoo in the Netherlands), and attempt to cohabitate her with Mishka, instead of immediately transferring Mishka. As COVID hit, though, those plans fell through, and the current situation began.

Contradiction: Supposedly their current hopes are still to do a similar thing to their pre-COVID plan, in which they attempt to cohabitate a female with Mishka, and are waiting for a suitable female to be available/agreed upon by the International Polar Bear Studbook. Nothing about any definite holds or pauses, or any plans for a male for Mishka once Hudson & Nelson pass (though, it was stated their plans do depend on bears’ genetic value, and it’s somewhat out of their control due to the Studbook). At the very least, there remains an avid disinterest to transfer Hudson, Nelson, or Mishka. If they couldn’t successfully cohabitate another female with Mishka, it was stated there’s enough backstage space for 4 individually kept bears, which I would assume means permanent cycling of their Maternity Den, but I don’t think it’d be ideal without an expansion/renovation of some kind. Speaking of…

Additional info: Supposedly, a current 10 year plan for Sea World exists, and includes preliminary plans to yet again expand Polar Bear Shores. This was initially somewhat confusing, as the current enclosure(/s) seems pretty snug in its location IMO, especially post-Preschool. But, when questioned about space, it was stated that there’s no concrete plans for an expansion’s exact location, but mentioned that certain staff facilities would be able to be demolished/relocated to create more space, if need be. I’ll be somewhat surprised if this does happen, but it being in the future plans (albeit only in very early stages), refills some previously lost hope for the future of the bears at Sea World.
 
Tricoart said:
Not to bombard with polar bear related talk/updates, but I had the confidence to ask the keeper some questions after the talk today, and there’s some clarification, contradiction, and additional info I’d be remiss not to share.

First, clarification. Pre-COVID, they’d planned to transfer ‘Sura’ (seemingly a 5 y/o female from Ouwenhands Zoo in the Netherlands), and attempt to cohabitate her with Mishka, instead of immediately transferring Mishka. As COVID hit, though, those plans fell through, and the current situation began.

Contradiction: Supposedly their current hopes are still to do a similar thing to their pre-COVID plan, in which they attempt to cohabitate a female with Mishka, and are waiting for a suitable female to be available/agreed upon by the International Polar Bear Studbook. Nothing about any definite holds or pauses, or any plans for a male for Mishka once Hudson & Nelson pass (though, it was stated their plans do depend on bears’ genetic value, and it’s somewhat out of their control due to the Studbook). At the very least, there remains an avid disinterest to transfer Hudson, Nelson, or Mishka. If they couldn’t successfully cohabitate another female with Mishka, it was stated there’s enough backstage space for 4 individually kept bears, which I would assume means permanent cycling of their Maternity Den, but I don’t think it’d be ideal without an expansion/renovation of some kind. Speaking of…

Additional info: Supposedly, a current 10 year plan for Sea World exists, and includes preliminary plans to yet again expand Polar Bear Shores. This was initially somewhat confusing, as the current enclosure(/s) seems pretty snug in its location IMO, especially post-Preschool. But, when questioned about space, it was stated that there’s no concrete plans for an expansion’s exact location, but mentioned that certain staff facilities would be able to be demolished/relocated to create more space, if need be. I’ll be somewhat surprised if this does happen, but it being in the future plans (albeit only in very early stages), refills some previously lost hope for the future of the bears at Sea World.
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I thought there had been a resent mention in the media of SeaWorld expanding its footprint and expanding its current area for further use?
 
Tricoart said:
Not to bombard with polar bear related talk/updates, but I had the confidence to ask the keeper some questions after the talk today, and there’s some clarification, contradiction, and additional info I’d be remiss not to share.

First, clarification. Pre-COVID, they’d planned to transfer ‘Sura’ (seemingly a 5 y/o female from Ouwenhands Zoo in the Netherlands), and attempt to cohabitate her with Mishka, instead of immediately transferring Mishka. As COVID hit, though, those plans fell through, and the current situation began.

Contradiction: Supposedly their current hopes are still to do a similar thing to their pre-COVID plan, in which they attempt to cohabitate a female with Mishka, and are waiting for a suitable female to be available/agreed upon by the International Polar Bear Studbook. Nothing about any definite holds or pauses, or any plans for a male for Mishka once Hudson & Nelson pass (though, it was stated their plans do depend on bears’ genetic value, and it’s somewhat out of their control due to the Studbook). At the very least, there remains an avid disinterest to transfer Hudson, Nelson, or Mishka. If they couldn’t successfully cohabitate another female with Mishka, it was stated there’s enough backstage space for 4 individually kept bears, which I would assume means permanent cycling of their Maternity Den, but I don’t think it’d be ideal without an expansion/renovation of some kind. Speaking of…

Additional info: Supposedly, a current 10 year plan for Sea World exists, and includes preliminary plans to yet again expand Polar Bear Shores. This was initially somewhat confusing, as the current enclosure(/s) seems pretty snug in its location IMO, especially post-Preschool. But, when questioned about space, it was stated that there’s no concrete plans for an expansion’s exact location, but mentioned that certain staff facilities would be able to be demolished/relocated to create more space, if need be. I’ll be somewhat surprised if this does happen, but it being in the future plans (albeit only in very early stages), refills some previously lost hope for the future of the bears at Sea World.
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Thanks for this comprehensive update!

Considering polar bears naturally live solitary lives, I can’t see the point of bringing in an additional female purely for the sake of providing Mishka with companionship. They’d be better off integrating her with either Hudson or Nelson; with the new female then integrated with the remaining male. This would still give them two groupings (as well as a breeding pair), which could then be increased to three if/when the new female produced young.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Thanks for this comprehensive update!

Considering polar bears naturally live solitary lives, I can’t see the point of bringing in an additional female purely for the sake of providing Mishka with companionship. They’d be better off integrating her with either Hudson or Nelson; with the new female then integrated with the remaining male. This would still give them two groupings (as well as a breeding pair), which could then be increased to three if/when the new female produced young.
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To clarify, the plan around Sura seemed to be that she’d breed with Hudson and/or Nelson, and they’d attempt to cohabitate her with Mishka outside of breeding season.
 
Tricoart said:
To clarify, the plan around Sura seemed to be that she’d breed with Hudson and/or Nelson, and they’d attempt to cohabitate her with Mishka outside of breeding season.
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That would make the best sense as Seaworld otherwise wouldn't be able to accommodate an additional female (without exporting Mishka). Hopefully the plan is to still do the same, although I acknowledge it'll be more difficult now as Mishka's much older.
 
Regarding the Polar Bears, the trio are still there. Mishka is out most mornings, with Hudson and Nelson getting the afternoons outdoors. There are two habitats but all the bears prefer to be out in the main one, so they rest out back when not on display. The complex is pretty large back there, roughly the same size as the on display complex with multiple enclosures to manage the bears in different groupings.

Mishka is now fully grown. Hudson and Nelson are still kicking. Hudson is the dominant brother and often displaces Nelson who then sulks at the other end of the enclosure perhaps in a half hearted attempt to make everyone feel bad for him. Funny fella. Hudson is now also weighing in at almost 800 kg. Huge!

I'll touch on breeding, there's no change in plans. Breeding is still hoped for although with the current bears it can't be done for obvious reasons. There's no concrete plans yet I personally speculate a male will be brought in once Hudson and Nelson pass. Mishka isn't going to be sent away anytime soon.
 
Trua said:
Regarding the Polar Bears, the trio are still there. Mishka is out most mornings, with Hudson and Nelson getting the afternoons outdoors. There are two habitats but all the bears prefer to be out in the main one, so they rest out back when not on display. The complex is pretty large back there, roughly the same size as the on display complex with multiple enclosures to manage the bears in different groupings.

Mishka is now fully grown. Hudson and Nelson are still kicking. Hudson is the dominant brother and often displaces Nelson who then sulks at the other end of the enclosure perhaps in a half hearted attempt to make everyone feel bad for him. Funny fella. Hudson is now also weighing in at almost 800 kg. Huge!

I'll touch on breeding, there's no change in plans. Breeding is still hoped for although with the current bears it can't be done for obvious reasons. There's no concrete plans yet I personally speculate a male will be brought in once Hudson and Nelson pass. Mishka isn't going to be sent away anytime soon.
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Thanks for the update.

Hudson and Nelson have reached an impressive age, celebrating their 21st birthday this month. While I hope they’re be with us for a while yet (I believe the regional record is Joachim, who died at Auckland Zoo aged 33 years in 1995), long term it’d be good to see Sea World import an unrelated male to pair with Mishka.

Time is on Mishka’s side considering she’s seven years old. Lisbeth at Auckland Zoo produced cubs up until 19 years of age; and births have been reported to females in their early to mid 20’s in North American zoos.

It seems bizarre to imagine all the region’s main zoos had Polar bears throughout the 20th century given the climate of Australia/New Zealand. Back to the modern day and Sea World’s complex does an exceptional job of mitigating this.
 
Trua said:
Regarding the Polar Bears, the trio are still there. Mishka is out most mornings, with Hudson and Nelson getting the afternoons outdoors. There are two habitats but all the bears prefer to be out in the main one, so they rest out back when not on display. The complex is pretty large back there, roughly the same size as the on display complex with multiple enclosures to manage the bears in different groupings.

Mishka is now fully grown. Hudson and Nelson are still kicking. Hudson is the dominant brother and often displaces Nelson who then sulks at the other end of the enclosure perhaps in a half hearted attempt to make everyone feel bad for him. Funny fella. Hudson is now also weighing in at almost 800 kg. Huge!

I'll touch on breeding, there's no change in plans. Breeding is still hoped for although with the current bears it can't be done for obvious reasons. There's no concrete plans yet I personally speculate a male will be brought in once Hudson and Nelson pass. Mishka isn't going to be sent away anytime soon.
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Good to hear.

I was told the second, smaller enclosure is mainly utilised as a 'kindergarten' for the cubs when they're in their first stages of life so it would explain why the bears grow to not prefer it as they get older. Likewise I remember Liya was the same too, she would leave Mishka out their to play a lot when Mishka was younger!

Do you know the number the entire complex can accommodate? I wasn't aware of the size of the BOH area; that is very large. On Hudson's weight too, do you mean just under 600 kg? He was around that mark when I last visited last year, surely he can't have put on that much:p

A female was supposed to be imported from Europe prior to covid to be paired with Nelson/Hudson. It's a shame this never eventuated as it would have been great to have cub/s on the ground, although in that case it's probably likely Mishka would've been exported later on and it'll now be nice to have Liya's line continued going forward via Mishka.
 
Jambo said:
Good to hear.

I was told the second, smaller enclosure is mainly utilised as a 'kindergarten' for the cubs when they're in their first stages of life so it would explain why the bears grow to not prefer it as they get older. Likewise I remember Liya was the same too, she would leave Mishka out their to play a lot when Mishka was younger!

Do you know the number the entire complex can accommodate? I wasn't aware of the size of the BOH area; that is very large. On Hudson's weight too, do you mean just under 600 kg? He was around that mark when I last visited last year, surely he can't have put on that much:p

A female was supposed to be imported from Europe prior to covid to be paired with Nelson/Hudson. It's a shame this never eventuated as it would have been great to have cub/s on the ground, although in that case it's probably likely Mishka would've been exported later on and it'll now be nice to have Liya's line continued going forward via Mishka.
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Your spot on it is, and the bears do tend to grow out of it rather quickly. Liya was a little bit on and off with the habitat, but she was always a very watchful mum. If Mishka was out on exhibit as you say I'm sure Liya would've been right in the door way keeping an eye on her.

The entire complex can accommodate around four or so bears at it's most. It comes down to groupings, three groupings at most can be rotated on/off display. Mum/Dad plus any cubs would be the ideal situation.

Shucks, I did mean 600 kg. Typo lol, cheers for the correction on that Jambo. On the topic of their weights, Nelson isn't too far behind on the scale (get it:eek::p)
 
I'll provide some other updates, popped around on my lunch break quickly today.

The Brown Bobby I see you guys have been discussing is still there. Six Pelicans are in that enclosure as well and about a dozen Pied Cormorants.

Penguins - There are currently fourteen Emperor Penguins on display and fifteen Gentoo Penguins. Three of the Emperor's are currently separated incubating eggs.

The Seal Show is pretty much the Australian and Californian boys these days. In Seal Harbor there's only three on display, two female Californians and one male sub Antarctic.

There is also only one sea turtle in shark bay, the loggerhead green turtle hybrid.

Shark species at the moment are: Leopard sharks, Blacktip reefs, Whitetip reefs, Grey carpets, Nervous sharks and Epaulette sharks.

The park also has sixteen dolphins at the present time. Six are next to the entrance, kept in groups of three. Three are encounter animals in the area adjacent to Seal harbour and the remaining seven rotate performing in the north end complex.
 
Trua said:
I'll provide some other updates, popped around on my lunch break quickly today.

The Brown Bobby I see you guys have been discussing is still there. Six Pelicans are in that enclosure as well and about a dozen Pied Cormorants.

Penguins - There are currently fourteen Emperor Penguins on display and fifteen Gentoo Penguins. Three of the Emperor's are currently separated incubating eggs.

The Seal Show is pretty much the Australian and Californian boys these days. In Seal Harbor there's only three on display, two female Californians and one male sub Antarctic.

There is also only one sea turtle in shark bay, the loggerhead green turtle hybrid.

Shark species at the moment are: Leopard sharks, Blacktip reefs, Whitetip reefs, Grey carpets, Nervous sharks and Epaulette sharks.

The park also has sixteen dolphins at the present time. Six are next to the entrance, kept in groups of three. Three are encounter animals in the area adjacent to Seal harbour and the remaining seven rotate performing in the north end complex.
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Thanks for the update.

How many seals do they have participating in the seal shows these days? It seems like there's a lot less seals at Seaworld these days (at least on display) but I could be wrong.

Do you also know what happened to the other pure loggerhead that was in the other section of shark bay? It's nice to see the additions of these other smaller shark species too, with the loss of some of the larger species.

Also nice to know they still have a fair amount of dolphins. I believe the breeding group is the one near the entrance although I could be wrong. One of which is one the last calves born at the park.
 
It seems there collection has gone a bit downhill, with the loss of the larger sharks and what appears to be less seals.
Sixteen dolphins is a pretty impressive number though. I don't see them not having a breeding group going. Obtaining from the wild would be almost impossible these days for them.
 
Trua said:
I'll provide some other updates, popped around on my lunch break quickly today.

The Brown Bobby I see you guys have been discussing is still there. Six Pelicans are in that enclosure as well and about a dozen Pied Cormorants.

Penguins - There are currently fourteen Emperor Penguins on display and fifteen Gentoo Penguins. Three of the Emperor's are currently separated incubating eggs.

The Seal Show is pretty much the Australian and Californian boys these days. In Seal Harbor there's only three on display, two female Californians and one male sub Antarctic.

There is also only one sea turtle in shark bay, the loggerhead green turtle hybrid.

Shark species at the moment are: Leopard sharks, Blacktip reefs, Whitetip reefs, Grey carpets, Nervous sharks and Epaulette sharks.

The park also has sixteen dolphins at the present time. Six are next to the entrance, kept in groups of three. Three are encounter animals in the area adjacent to Seal harbour and the remaining seven rotate performing in the north end complex.
Click to expand...
Would that Emperor or the king Penguins kept there?.
 
Jambo said:
Thanks for the update.

How many seals do they have participating in the seal shows these days? It seems like there's a lot less seals at Seaworld these days (at least on display) but I could be wrong.

Do you also know what happened to the other pure loggerhead that was in the other section of shark bay? It's nice to see the additions of these other smaller shark species too, with the loss of some of the larger species.

Also nice to know they still have a fair amount of dolphins. I believe the breeding group is the one near the entrance although I could be wrong. One of which is one the last calves born at the park.
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Staff I talked to didn't specifically mention how many seals are in the show, but he said about half a dozen.

Not sure about the loggerhead but it wasn't there.
 
Edgar Tolmie footage of Sea World in 1970 when an orca/killer whale arrived (via airplane) and shared a pool with a dolphin for a while its seems: (State Library of Queensland collection is source): Footage

Description is 'Home movie footage showing a killer whale being unloaded from a QANTAS plane for transportation, and then swimming in a pool on arrival at Sea World'

6:50 into the video is footage of that lion park/safari park that was in the area at the time too (can see a lone female Asian elephant, lions and a dromedary camel).

Some beautiful waterfall and surrounding rainforest footage in between..
 
steveroberts said:
Edgar Tolmie footage of Sea World in 1970 when an orca/killer whale arrived (via airplane) and shared a pool with a dolphin for a while its seems: (State Library of Queensland collection is source): Footage

Description is 'Home movie footage showing a killer whale being unloaded from a QANTAS plane for transportation, and then swimming in a pool on arrival at Sea World'

6:50 into the video is footage of that lion park/safari park that was in the area at the time too (can see a lone female Asian elephant, lions and a dromedary camel).

Some beautiful waterfall and surrounding rainforest footage in between..
Click to expand...
Nice find! This would be Ramu who was captured in August of 1970 apart of the infamous Penn Cove capture.

He spent less than a year at Seaworld before his eventual passing in August of the following year at the estimated age of four - incredibly young.
 
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