2003 Polar Bear Diet and Facility Review: Participant in Dr. Shepherdson Study
Celia Ackerman, Central Park Wildlife Center
Information gathered via telephone interviews.
Initial inquiry in 3/26/02. Updated during Dec. 2003 – Jan. 2004; several 3/26/02 comments included.
1) Milwaukee County Zoo
414-771-3040, ext. 409 or 469 Diet Fluctuation slightly higher winter than summer
1.0 Polar bears at 13 years (1,100 lbs.) 0.1 (700 lbs.) deceased this past year at 24-26 yrs.
Very successful diet, Excellent coats, Vitamin A gels (25,000 units A for 0.1 + 50,000 units A for 1.0, daily) very important + Lard (1-2 lbs. daily)
(They have tried different companies, AFS the best - very complete 9-13% fat, 7% cereal. It is a beef with all organs meat. AFS company is in Wisconsin 1-800-743-0322 Muller +/or Jerry Nash, owners.)
Original Diet was the same for 0.1 and 1.0
Currently (Dec.’03): 1.0 gets 3 lbs. Herring (amount of fish fed is based on what sea lions don’t eat.) He might go through a short period - 1 week – without getting fish. Also: 5-6 lbs. Mazuri polar bear Chow / 1 lb. lard / 1 apple, 1 carrot.
5 lbs. AFS Carnivore diet (1.0 gets 10 lbs. occasionally)
7-10 lbs. Fish (Herring, mackerel, capelin, smelt, salmon)
2.5 gallon bucket (7-10 lbs.) Mazuri Polar Bear Chow
6 apples daily as treats, too much not good.
1-2 lbs. Lard (They use Oscar Myer. They buy bulk in cans, helps with coat)
Diet = 20 - 27 lbs. a day
Bears fed once daily in the AM (PM apple scatter as treats).
3/26/02 – Comments: increase diet fall / summer. Winter try to feed a higher fatty fish - Discrepancy with above – needs further clarification.
Comments that seal liver contains tremendous amounts of vitamin A, toxic to other animals but not the polar bear. Bears feed on seal blubber but will eat whole seal including organs (liver) when hunting conditions are poor. Vitamin A extremely important to polar bears and will help with coat.
Diets, subtle seasonal fluctuations. The bears dictate their diet needs. Generally, in winter they eat a little better than in the summer. Not necessarily every year will they notice this – it might just be their individual dispositions – variations are usually slight, not a night / day difference. 0.1 was never a big eater – she never ate to where she reached her maximum consumption and stopped eating. (She was hand-reared at another facility and also a very picky eater. When they got her, it took them a long time to switch her over to their diet.)
Fur Concerns: Male coat, excellent. Deceased female came with skin issues, flakiness – had allergies, kept her off straw (at Milwaukee a few years), here, she did less scratching than at other places. At Milwaukee, she did some seasonal rubbing on gunnite – not stereotypic, short time, mostly in winter (Feb.) then stops.
Pacing concerns: Male no. (very occasional stereotypy when stressed – backward walk w/head swaying, very rare pace on land) // Deceased female came with stereotypic / year-long, swimming, paw sucking (very big), land and head swing. (She was originally hand reared; had been moved around i.e., 3 facilities.)
Management - Access – all day and evening but feeding inside.
Enrichment – Yes
Pool – Fresh + chlorinated / pool in back w/ well water 56 all year, main pool 70 degrees.
Habitat - Gunnite + pool + moated exhibit, underwater viewing new…inadequate size, “older habitat” wants pool deeper
Comments - No coat problems since fall ‘89 – summer ’90, when diet change, lard, Vitamin A added. (Three other bears housed there - 1 died and 2 sent out – also had excellent coats.)
2) Sea World Orlando Diets fluctuates - increase in winter, summer decrease
407-351-3600
2.2 Polar Bears: 1.0, Johnny, 14 yr. 1000+ lb. + 1.0, Klondike, 8 yr. 1,100 lb. + 0.1 Snow, 8 yr. 450 lb. + 0.1 Liebchen at 20 yr. wt?
7-10
lbs. Nebraska Feline for 1.0
5 lbs. Nebraska Feline for 0.1
6-7 lbs.
Mazuri Polar bear chow for 1.0
4 - 5 lbs. Mazuri for 0.1
1/2 lbs. to 1 lb. lard for all four. Kidney Suet (3/26/02 - commented that they enjoy it, even throughout the winter with decrease in appetite. They will always eat it. **Good for maintaining their weight w/small amount. )
10-12
lbs. Fish for 1.0 / Herring and capelin
6 lbs. Fish for 0.1
Live Trout always available in pool.
No vitamin supplements
Cod Liver Oil as enrichment (small amount)
If bears are hungry in the AM, feed them the Mazuri first, seems to calm them down.
Give vegetables, some sweets, lots of other foods as enrichment.
(Commented Omnivore chow too much cornmeal, cannot digest so loose stool. Had used Spectrum Polar Bear Biscuit, but shipment issue, so company change.)
Theirs is the only complete indoor, climate controlled habitat. Their bears’ diet patterns: increasing in the winter and decreasing in the summer. (Discrepancy with 3/26/02 – needs further clarification.) For one 1.0, a low and high end ranges can be 15-18 lbs. as low + 27 lbs as high.
Fur concerns – Previously, no. With 1.0 Johnny – this year, 2003, first time with balding patches, started summer. (Lots of scratching also rubbing his back – large bald area on back.) Allergy suspected, given Benadryl. Coat has improved since fall. Also thought scratching was stereotypic – tried to stop by giving timely enrichment.
Pacing – No. Johnny had one many years ago but they were able to stop it. Klondike has a pace and play in the water (one moment you see him play, the next pace.) It happens on a regular basis. Not constant, but not infrequent. Keeper feels if he is “left out too long” without stimulation, he gets bored.
Habitat – Indoors. Most of the time the bears are in the back dens - there are 4 dens and the main exhibit area for public viewing, so 5 areas in total for the bears. Pool – Saltwater and ozone. Comments good coat because bears are in saltwater.
Management – The bears are shifted around during the day, and there is no set sleeping quarters, or areas that they have to be in. Social arrangements are also kept very random – so a bear has time together and time alone. (About every other night a bear has a turn in the exhibit area; usually Klondike and Snow are together, andLiebchen and Johnny.)
Comments - Klondike and Snow are brother and sister. Klondike, Snow, and Liebchen can all be together or separate. Liebchen can be with Johnny. But Klondike and Snow can never be with Johnny. (Both males fixed. Feared aggression.)
3) Baltimore Zoo Diets fluctuate, decrease winter
410-396-7641
1.1 Polar Bears: 1.0 at 16 yrs. + 0.1 “circus bear” age unknown - Housed at Baltimore since March 2002.
Diet for 1.0, 3/26/02 Dec.‘03, these amounts in ½.. Jan. 13’04 - Dry foods leftover, mostly eating fish
2 lbs. Mazuri omnivore chow
1 lbs. Dog Chow, Purina
4 lbs. fish
5 lbs. meat / Dallas Crown, Tues. - Sun. (Gets 5 lbs. Chunk Horsemeat on Mon.)
And,
Sun, Mon., Wed., Fri. = 2 lbs. apple, 2 lbs. lard
Tues., Thurs., Sat. = 1 lb apple, 1 lb. lard
will use apple, carrots, kale, etc. switch produce monthly / Special produce T/ Thurs. / Sat 1 lb. each of special produce
1 Shankbone on Sun + Wed, not inc. above
Vitamin supplement – Mazuri tablets 1 tablet male, ½ tablet female. (Marine Mammal or Carnivore supplement?)
Fur concerns – Yes, for both. Circus female with worst fur loss. / Seasonal – Yes; Very bad this year. Beginning of summer and winter; 1.0 coat is growing back (now early Jan) but patchy. Comments, guessing allergy + since in new exhibit, fur is growing back.
Pacing concerns – Yes, both. Male, swim – started 5-6 years ago. Circus female with a stereotypic swaying, digging. Year-long, both. (It is one opinion that her digging is stereotypic as she does it all day.) She will dig anywhere (i.e., at fencepost) at one spot until they closed it up.
Management – Housed indoors every night unless they won’t gate, but they always get at least one bear in. 1.1 kept separated at night. During the day, they interact only a little on land. In the water they play together quite a bit.
Enrichment, yes. Lots & everyday but type depends on keeper.
Habitat – Bears in new habitat, since Oct. 11’03. Mostly cement, dirt; now more land than pool, previous more pool than land. Pool – Freshwater, Chlorine, previously, switched to Bromine, now ozone + chlorine in summer when needed.
Adequate habitat but would like more space in one yard. / 2 yards + outside viewing. Bears have mulch pit. No grass, just dirt. Real rocks and cement (man-made rocks).
Comments:Circus 0.1 – has a very laid back temperament and she is also deaf.
4) Oregon Zoo Diets fluctuate, chow for 0.2 / eats 1.0 consistent
503-226-1561,
ext. 336 or 274
1.2 Polar bears. 1.0 at 17 years ~ 1,000 lbs. + 0.2 at 16, 17 years at ~ just under 600 lbs. / Male is neutered.
3/26/02: 1.0 eats year round
0.1eats mostly veggies and fruit during winter months
0.1 eats year round but her appetite decreases especially with the chow, lard and meat
The current diet ratio (chart) is used for all the bears and it is variable depending on time of year, weights and motivation level. Started in September of 2002 and it is in kilograms. New diet has been used for a little over one year. During the last part of winter our girls were not eating chow but very hungry for the other food items. So we increased their meat to 0.8 kg, fat to 0.3 kg and fish to 2.1 kg. Their chow at this time was from anywhere from 0.25kg to 1.0kg and this went from Feb thru a little bit of May. We then switched back to the regular diet ratio. We never had to do this with the male, he stayed eating chow consistently thru the winter.
Oregon Zoo Polar Bear Diet:
Meat = Milliken Brand, Toronto Zoo Feline Diet. Fish does vary daily. Using mackerel for enrichment, one of the bears isn't too fond of it and doesn't eat it well so they are not giving it as a diet item right now. Fish = smelt, capelin, herring, sardines, mackerel and trout, varies daily. Produce = apples, carrots and other fruits and vegetables.
|
Chow (kg) Mazuri P.B. |
Feline diet (kg) |
Fat (kg) |
Fish (kg) |
Produce (kg) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.25 |
0.048 |
0.021 |
0.351 |
0.119 |
|
0.5 |
0.09 |
0.039 |
0.659 |
0.224 |
|
0.75 |
0.138 |
0.06 |
1 |
0.343 |
|
1 |
0.186 |
0.08 |
1.36 |
0.462 |
|
1.25 |
0.234 |
0.101 |
1.712 |
0.581 |
|
1.5 |
0.282 |
0.122 |
2.063 |
0.7 |
|
1.75 |
0.33 |
0.143 |
2.415 |
0.82 |
|
2 |
0.372 |
0.161 |
2.722 |
0.924 |
|
2.25 |
0.42 |
0.182 |
3.073 |
1.043 |
|
2.5 |
0.468 |
0.203 |
3.424 |
1.162 |
|
2.75 |
0.522 |
0.226 |
3.819 |
1.296 |
|
3 |
0.57 |
0.247 |
4.171 |
1.416 |
|
3.25 |
0.606 |
0.263 |
4.434 |
1.505 |
|
3.5 |
0.654 |
0.283 |
4.785 |
1.624 |
|
3.75 |
0.702 |
0.304 |
5.136 |
1.743 |
1.2 get beef-bones - 2x's per week (in 3/2002, currently?)
Each bear receives , 1/2 tsp Vitamin A + 200mg Vitamin B daily
Each bear receives ~ 2 tbsp Cod Liver Oil or Diet Derm daily
Fur concerns – Yes, 1.2 bears do go through some hair loss and some years are better than others. (Last year was a bad year.) It is seasonal, starting in Dec. / winter, and this year it has started on our least dominant female and some on the male's shoulder but not much. // Heavy shedding seen in the spring time. Fur found everywhere, in the pools on the drains, in the skimmers, all over exhibit and in the dens.
Pacing concerns – Yes, 1.0, - occasional, infrequent swim pattern, not serious. // One female has a land pace. Our female with the land pace is the least dominant bear for most of the year. (She also has the most extreme fur loss.) She does have a pacing pattern year round but vary's on amount of time she is doing it. (Some times of the year she hardly paces at all). Her pacing pattern is a walk in a semi circle around a rock formation then she backs up and swings her head.
During breeding this female is dominant over the other female for about one month (March to April). The other female doesn’t do well with this and has a breeding related pace- will walk at a very rapid pace to almost a run during breeding season, she tends to stop this or at least slow it way down to just a slow walk when she is separated from the other female. Has done this the last 2 years now - end of March to end of April both times, so they manage the 2 females separately for about a month. They tried sedatives and they would just put her to sleep and when they wore off she would start up pacing heavily again, separation was their choice because they didn't have to use medication and she was much calmer.
Habitat – 2 exhibits connected and six dens. Exhibit, cement ground, mostly gunnite rock; have sand pits which they use, not much vegetation, enjoyed street-sweeper brush for rubbing. Their bears also have an off exhibit area they go in once a week. In there, keepers give them browse, wood, cardboard for enrichment, which they really seem to like. Pool – Fresh water + ozone, Chlorine in summer when ozone not enough for algae. (4 months, Chlorine.)
Management – Exhibit access at night. Bears get access to both exhibits all day. During breeding season they open the off exhibit to the female that is alone so that the male and the other female still have both exhibits. (We rotate the male back and forth with the females). They also are able to open our dens up if they really need too. All and all they have a good amount of room. Would like the ability to vary the substrate more or change up the exhibit more (add logs... etc). But having the access to an off exhibit area really helps them. The off exhibit area is as big as a normal exhibit area, they are very fortunate.
Enrichment – yes
Comments: Tasul's pacing decreases a bit during breeding when she is with the other female but is about the same once they are separated. Our breeding season is usually Feb- May/June. We notice our male's behavior starting towards the middle to end of February but we see him really active during late March to late April and occasionally even after that.
5) Roger Williams Zoo Diets fluctuate, chow amounts only
401-785-3510
2.0 Polar Bears: 0.1 at 3 years, Parents: 0.1 at 17 yrs. (’86, Trixie from Bronx) + 1.0 at 16 yrs. (wild caught approx. birth, ’87)
(Trixie had a previous cub born in ’97)
5 lbs. Dallas Crown meat
5 lbs. Fish
20 lbs. Mazuri Polar Bear Chow (10 - 12 lbs.)
5 lbs. Produce (carrots, sweet potatoes, melons)
gets same diet, just 10 lbs less Mazuri chow
No vitamin supplement
Diets fluctuate. Appetite for chow decreases spring / early summer. 1.0 max chow = 20 lbs. + Min chow = 10 lbs. March, April is their breeding time, 1.0 also decreases his food consumption during this time.
3/26/02 – Comments that bears always had good coats, even before they were bred.
Fur issues. Male, no, never. No skin issues for 0.1 both times when she was pregnant and lactating. (No problem in between cubs either – went into estrus and bred. Began seasonal in the spring once she stopped nursing. In the spring, habitat covered w/pollen (oak). Female did lots and lots of scratching this whole summer, but did not get bleeding or open sores. This was the worst year for her skin. Now (Dec.’03) she is looking good – when pollen is at lowest. Medication helped or the cold, cannot say. Had her on anti-histamine, clavomax, benadryl, and prednisone when scratching at the highest.
Pacing – male, never. Female still w/cub, no pace. No real pace, just occasional land. When she doesn’t have a cub, she is with the male. 3 year old has no pace. (Their bears interact w/public at underwater viewing.)
Enrichment – yes.
Habitat – Older, moated habitat. Freshwater, chlorine.
Management- male stays out at night now. When there is no cub. Male and female are kept in at night, separate stalls but spacious.
6) North Carolina Zoo Diets fluctuate, fall decrease
336-879-7000
2.0 Brothers at 9 years. Weights: 1035 lbs. and 948 lbs. – One brother deceased at update, the other was returned to the Louisville Zoo. (Also had a recent deceased 0.1 not included in the survey results.)
Current bears = 2.0 Circus bears: 1.0 Masha and 1.0 Wilhelm, ages late teens. Masha weight ~ 740 lbs. and Wilhelm ~ 840 lbs., although Masha is the bigger bear. At North Carolina since last Nov., 1 yr. + 1 month
Basic Diet / 2.0 Brothers were fed early AM + 2X in PM =
10-12 lbs. Canine Diet
5 lbs. Nebraska Feline Diet / switched to Toronto Zoo, Milliken Diet with circus bears.
4-5 lbs. Purina Mills High Protein chow
8 lbs. Fish (4lbs. herring + 4 lbs. capelin)
Also receive other general food enrichments. (Diet = 27 lb. to 30 lb. for 1.0)
Masha and Wilhelm are very finicky eaters. They would not eat much of anything when they arrived. They ate Nebraska feline but not as readily as Milliken Diet (the Toronto Zoo, Milliken TZ Diet comes in 4.5 lb. bags. Started TZ Diet 6-8 months ago and they went with it.) One bear eats ~ 10 lbs. Milliken, 2 lbs. capelin, 3 lbs. Herring, 3 lbs. Purina Mills High Protein Dog chow. The other ~ 8 lbs. Milliken meat, 2 lbs. cape., 3 lbs. Herr., + 4 lbs. Purina Mills. // Their diets vary. Now (Dec.) dropped off drastically. One might not eat meat or anything. The other only 3-5 / 8 lbs. compared to 20 lbs. earlier in the year. // They were “special need” bears. Cod Liver Oil put on food to get them to eat meat. Made food palatable. Now using it more sparingly, ½ to 1 cup per day. Also helps with their coats. Have also used liquid ENSURE for humans poured over their food to encourage feeding.
Vitamins = 1200iu E, 500 B1 each day. Cod Liver Oil and lard are given daily, and for medication (i.e., vitamin Sandwich = whole wheat bread topped w/vitamin and lard to get them to eat vitamins.
Previous brothers exhibited diet changes and with some degree their new bears, too, although current bears have not been housed there long enough to discern a complete pattern. Historically, appetites start to increase mid-to-late January. February through September the bears have strong appetites. Oct., Nov., and Dec. it decreases considerably and they have to adjust their diets down.
Fur concerns – 2.0 brothers, born in Louisville - shed their fur “worst” in colder months. // Masha and Wilhelm’s fur wasn’t terribly bad upon arrival. Their coats were matted but once cleaned up, they improved. One male de-clawed; has fungal issues, tenderness of feet. Using footbath with antifungal for him.
Pacing – One circus bear has a sway stereotypy – had it in Puerto Rico and it carried over. Trying to stop w/enrichment. Full enrichment program including 5 observation scans. Previous brothers – occasional stereotypic swim behavior in corner of pool, both males. Originally, both did it, later just one. Giving access to holding helped w/stereotypy – published paper. Offering holding as an option provides a visual break and more space.
Management – Access to holding and exhibit mostly 22 hrs. Masha and Wilhelm can be difficult to shift, lack of motivation. Recently they prefer holding, “problem” w/bears out of view. They seldom interact, no fighting, just keep their distance, one subordinate.
Pool – Freshwater + chilled. Ozone + minimal Bromine.
7) San Diego Zoo Diets fluctuate
619-231-1515, ext.4275
1.3 Polar Bears: 1.1 cubs brother and sister / both at 3 yrs., 0.1 at 295 kg. + 1.0 at 181 kg.
And 0.2 sisters at 9 yrs. (206 kg. / 239 kg.)
Diets seasonal + changed weekly based on weights. If very hungry, given IAMS, Less Active, so they can give them more.
1.0 at 3 yrs. = 3000g Natural Balance Carnivore diet / 2500g dog chow, regular. (He is on a growing diet.)
0.2 at 9 years are both on a maintenance diet: 1000g -1250g meat + 400g Less Active dog food.
0.1 at 3 yrs. gets 1/3 more: 1800g meat + 1000g Less Active dog chow.
4 Trout
Daily (medium size)
1 Pieces Analog (artificial fish)
Rabbit 1X per week instead of meat
2 days a week Cow Femur Bones
Also yams, carrots each day – 6 each per day.
No vitamin supplements. No lard, climate does not necessitate.
Fur concerns – One 0.1 at 9 yrs., Shikari with a very nice coat year-round, cleanest and whitest. Very occasional bald spot or patch for her but some thinning. 0.1 Chinook at 9 yrs., “worse” with coat i.e., thinning / patching in the fall / winter. 1.1 at 3 yrs., coats do not thin as much as the adults, any small bald spots are from playing.
Pacing concerns – Yes. All except youngest female. One 9 year old female with seasonal land pace - late winter into early spring. Everyday, but not constantly, sporadic throughout the day. Other 9 year old female also in holding, too. Some swimming, but not in a long time. 1.0 breeding seasonal pace, directed at females when they cycle.
Pool – Freshwater, ozone, chilled at 67
Habitat – Mostly concrete with extended rock areas for resting, hiding; also two dirt pits, sandy beach area (recent addition), deadwood and log structures.
Management – cubs and 0.2 rotated on exhibit. 0.2 out from 2:00 PM to 7 AM the next morning. Cubs on exhibit early for public. Indoor holding w/open skylight.
8) Sea World of California, San Diego Diets fluctuate (Dec. – March decrease)
619-226-3900 ext. 2412
1.2 Polar Bears at 8 yrs. for 3. 1.0 = 1,100 lbs + 0.1 at 600 lbs. + 0.1 at 700 lbs.
Diet for 0.1 is about half for 1.0. Diet fluctuates. (Dec. – March diets low.) Male has consumed up to 50 lbs. per day when going through growth spurt. Male is neutered.
3/26/02 Diet for 1.0 (0.1 is half) Dec ’03 -12 lbs. total as low for 1.0. He can increase up to 20 lbs. including 5-6 lbs. Mazuri.
3 lbs. Carnivore Diet
2 lbs. Mazuri Polar Bear Chow
4 lbs. Fish
.5 lbs. Beef Fat
Diet not including other enrichment items including yogurt, local Deli bones when available in summer.
Vitamins: 1 tablet Mazuri Marine Mammal vitamins per every 5 lbs. of food.
Fur concerns – no. Except for one female (Snowflake) Seasonal loss, starts Feb. and by May-June, fur has grown back. “Excessive shedding” She looks patchy for a few months, but not the other two. (Male is neutered, favors the other female when breeding.)
Pool – Saltwater, small amount ozone.
Habitat – very adequate
9) Tulsa Oklahoma Zoo Diets fluctuate, chow amounts
918-669-6201
1.1 Near 20 yrs. weights 1.0, ~ 850 lb. / ~ 750 lb. / They have had 0.1 Marushka for 18 yrs. 1.0 Frosty only 3-4 yrs. Both are intact but they are not breeding, she is probably too old. She has had one stillborn cub in the past.
0.1 chow amounts can vary depending on season.
10 lbs. Dallas Crown 1.0 Diet switchedfrom Nebraska Feline about 1 year ago - wt. problems with their cats on Nebraska.
5 lbs. Nebraska Feline for
0.1
8 / 10 lbs. Fish for 1.0 / Herring
5 lbs. Fish for 0.1
10 lbs. Mazuri Polar Bear Chow for 1.0
5 lbs. Mazuri Polar Bear Chow for 0.1
***Alternate 1 week Feline Diet, then next week fish, etc. because favoring diets
Produce once in awhile
Beef Bones on Saturday (Fast day)
No vitamins, no lard - comments that bears receive fat from bones
Diets adjusted according to how bears look physically.
Fur concerns – No fur issues for past 5 years since using Mazuri Polar Bear chow.
Pacing – Yes, male – when females are in estrus. Kept separated, do not desire breeding. He paces by doors when 0.1 inside. Female, some pace in old pool. Fixed herself – stopped when in new exhibit since 1995.
Management – Have access at night. Locked out during day.
Enrichment – Yes.
Habitat – Old habitat was flat, white concrete with a small pool.Newer is better built ‘93 – ’94. Habitat and a dirt yard. Dirt yard has a reserve pool and the main exhibit a 66,000 gal pool. Exhibit mostly rockwork, surrounded by concrete wall except for viewing area. Steel mesh around dirt yard, public can see bears there too, but not in the 3 dens. Pool – Freshwater, chlorine and filtration.
10) Toledo Zoo Diet drops sharply for 1.0 fall /winter / 0.2 occasional on chow
419-385-5721
1.2 Polar Bears, 1.0 at 7-8 years = 1000 lbs., 0.1 at 8-9 years = 650 lbs., 0.1 at 4-5 years = 500-600 lbs. (Had 2 males that went to Erie Zoo, Mizar and Alcor had no pacing issues and coats good.)
(Had a few older animals in the mid 30's, one close to 40…lost them around the same time. Their old habitat was moat-style. Back then, they were fed poorer diets. Some water pace. )
9 lbs.
Trout for 1.0
5 lbs. Exclusive (Lamb & Rice Formula)
1 lb. Fruit
5-6 lbs. Trout for 0.1 at 7 years
4 lbs. Exclusive for 0.1 at 7 years
1 lb. Fruit for 0.1 at 7 years
4 lbs. Trout for 0.1 at 3 years
4 lbs. Exclusive 0.1 at 3 years
1lb. Fruit for 0.1 at 3 years
Current (12/03) possible pregnant female. The older female.She is denning now. 3 tabs. E + 2 B1’s, 100 – vits to her, otherwise, no.
Fed diet in one AM + one PM feed, not including food exhibit enrichment, about 3-4 lbs. per bear on exhibit each day. Will increase, decrease diet as necessary. Live Trout as enrichment 2 X weekly (about 30 fish) availability depending on budget. Will also feed capelin and herring, but prefer trout (fattier) Variety of exhibit enrichment including dog food, knucklebones (for teeth), trout, peanut butter, berries, grapes, etc. No vitamin supplement added. On occasion, Log of Dallas Crown meat on exhibit. Had used Nebraska Feline, does not like it. Too fatty and causes bears to get pouchy.
Beef lard 3X per week only to one female if she starts to get fur loss. Usually grows back quickly then discontinue otherwise bears will get fat. Previously fed Pro-Plan and Exclusive (3/26/02) comments that Pro Plan + Exclusive mix is much more nutritional than Mazuri. Satisfied with their diet, their bears look very good. ***Dec. ’03 update - Stopped Pro-Plan for all bears.
For 1.0, Marty, seasonal drop in diet each fall/winter at same time each year (They have had him since age 2 years). Consumption drops off completely for a few weeks, and then he picks up again. 1.0 high end range = 20 lbs. + low = 2-3 lbs. Females might fluctuate off and on, on chow.
They’ve had Crystal since 2 yrs. and Nanuyaak since 3 or 4.
Fur – No concerns.
Pacing – rare. Oldest female when she gets stressed. Head roll, very rare. She came in with that. If they catch a pace starting, they’ll stop it right away, but they are not against some pacing.
Habitat – 1999, newer habitat. Great, huge exhibit. Saltwater pools inside and outside + waterfall. (Ozone) Can see seals for enrichment.
Management – Access given to inside and outside. Floor heaters available.
Enrichment – yes. Comments: their male is going to Sea World Australia and they are getting a male bear from Russia (now at Sea World Australia)
11) San Francisco Zoological Gardens Diets fluctuate lower diet range fed Oct. - May
1-415-753-7080
Polar Bears: 0.3 ages 21yrs. (Andy), 21yrs. (Pike), 23 yrs. (Ulu) / Weights: 635lbs., 516 lbs. 1 unknown, large for scale.
Summer (June-Nov) Diet per bear
2# Mazuri Polar Bear Chow
- Daily
5# Chunk Horsemeat - Daily
3.5# Fish (herring/smelt) - Daily
1-5# various produce (apples, carrots, romaine, corn, yams, pear)
- Daily
1# cleaned whole Rabbit - Weekly (Sundays) / Bone - twice Weekly
(Mondays, Fridays)
Daily Supplements:
Mazuri Carnivore Supplement w/B Vitamins (57UX) due to
nutritional deficiencies of horsemeat. 20gm supplement per 2.2#
horsemeat = 45gm (1/3 cup) // Thiamine tablets to supplement
possible deficiency of frozen/thawed fish. 250mg once daily.
Winter (Oct-May) Diet per bear
1# Mazuri Polar Bear Chow - Daily
2# Chunk Horsemeat - Daily
2# Fish (herring/smelt) - Daily
1-5# various produce (apples, carrots, romaine, corn, yams, pear) - Daily
1# cleaned whole Rabbit - Weekly (sundays)
Bone - twice Weekly (mondays, fridays)
Daily Supplements: Mazuri Carnivore Supplement w/B Vitamins (57UX) due to nutritional deficiencies of horsemeat. 20gm supplement per 2.2# horsemeat = 18gm (2Tbs) // Thiamine tablets to supplement possible deficiency of frozen/thawed fish. 250mg once daily.
Diets can vary. They seem to cut back on what they want: i.e., Ulu (wild born) stops eating apples, pears and chow only wanting fish, romaine lettuce, horse, whole rabbit. Pike (SF born), only wanting fish and canned diet. The attitude is "I can't be bothered." / The San Francisco bear gave up meat two years ago. She only eats the canned diet w/d Prescription Canine diet, and fish / Mazuri Polar chow and fresh apples. carrots, pears, corn on the cob, Romaine lettuce.
Fur concerns: The bears seem to shed from November to May. They all create areas of fur loss. They go through an itchy shed period starting November. They rub on rock work until small areas appear. Also what seems to happen is split ends enabling algae to enter and set up camp. This algae seems to prefer the more aquatic bear of the year. The three bears seem to take turns at being the "green" bear.
Pacing Concerns: Seldom. The two housed together will sometimes pace when anticipating something. Ulu did on a daily basis in one particular area but stopped once given daily access to a exhibit planted out with grass and small trees. She has not actively paced for two years. Comments: The bears seem to alternate needs for swimming. One will swim more than the other then next year it is different.
Stereotypic Behavior other than pacing: One hand reared female constantly sucks the "wrist" area of her left front paw, but she has never caused a sore or infection in that site. Also, when lifting her head she remains sucking.
Management: Bears have choice to be on or off at all times except for keeper access. // 0.2, Andy (born Zoo Atlanta ‘82, hand reared?) and Pike (also born ’82), have been together since 1985. 0.1, Ulu, has been by herself ever since their fourth female, Marsha died before 1995. (Marsha was Pike’s mother. Marsha rejected Pike, so Pike hand reared.) Originally thought that Ulu from the wild would be better off to defend herself with Marsha, and Andy mistakenly believed to be a male, was sent to become a breeding partner with Pike.
Enrichment: Yes.
Habitat: Size adequate. Habitat is cement and man-made rock, i.e., "old-style" with moat. WPA concrete stacked block look to it. Ulu has use of two exhibits, one, the original moat-style as well as another that has been filled with soil. Pool: Freshwater, flowing.
12) Indianapolis Zoo Diets fluctuate 0.1 low Jan. / 1.0 eats consistently
317-630-2001
0.1 Polar Bears: 0.1 at 18 years = 700 lbs. 1.0 at 15 years = 1100 lbs. Deceased at 12/03 update3, 4 months ago.
2.5
lbs. Nebraska Feline for 0.1 7.5 lbs. Nebraska Feline for 1.0
1.5 lbs. Herring / Capelin for 0.1 7 lbs. Herring / Capelin for
1.0
2.5 lbs. Mazuri Omnivore chow for 0.1 7 lbs. Mazuri Omnivore chow
for 1.0
0 lbs. Pure Fat for 0.1 2 lbs. Pure Fat for 1.0
2 oz. Cod Liver Oil for 0.1 2 oz. Cod Liver Oil for
1.0
Fed throughout the day but most of diet given at evening. Not including produce + enrichment.
They let their bears dictate their own diets. Her diet consumption has always been low. She has never really required a lot of food. Now, 1/07/04 her diet is down to 6-8 lbs. She can max up to 10 – 12 lbs. He ate fairly consistently.
Her diet based on her behavior – had gained weight as though she would cub but she didn’t.
Fur concerns – None for female. Male – his was occasional, not seasonal, just occasional patches of fur loss.
Pacing – Female, back of exhibit (land, can be seen year-long) and pool. Pool very occasional, rare swim pace. Male had a pace, mostly in the pool. Could be seen year-long. Sometimes he paced in the back of the exhibit smelling / anticipating live trout kept in a back area.
Management – she is kept in at night.
Enrichment – yes, 3x day.
Pool – straight, freshwater.
Comment – Pair got along well socially. They were either interacting or he would watch her while relaxing. She had a favorite resting rock where she layed, not a frequent swimmer. Female more active, since loss of male.
13) Buffalo Zoo Diets fluctuate 0.1 at 16, 26. 0.1 at 3 yrs. has yet to go off feed. 1.0 eats consistent year-round.
716-837-3900
1.3 Polar Bears, 0.1 at 3 yrs. (from Hogle) = 275 - 300 lbs.
0.1 at 26 yrs. (Born Buffalo) = 450 lbs.
0.1 at 16 yrs. (Born Buffalo) = 400 lbs.
1.0 at 6 yrs. (new arrival born at Hogle) = 750 lbs.
10 lbs. Nebraska Beef for 1.0 Bears
fed 3x per day, not including enrichments. Diet not. incl. for 3 yr. old
20-25 Individual Mackerel / Herring to 1.0, “heavy
bucket”
5 Nebraska Beef for all 0.1
10 lbs. Mackerel for 0.1 at 16 years, previous - current, fish
counted individually.
5lbs. Mackerel for 0.1 at 26 years, previous - current, fish
counted individually.
Chow amounts 4-6 lbs. / For chow feeding a 50% / 50 % Spectrum
Omnivore + Dog Chow (Eukenuba Maintenance) mix.
Plus, 2 apples and 2 carrots each per day.
Oldest female off meat and biscuits (12/26/03), increased her fish now to 22 individual mackerel. She gets finicky during denning time, Dec., Jan., maybe Feb. She spends a lot of time in the dens. // 16 year old female just started going off meat today (Dec. 26, 2003)
Vitamins:1, 400 I.U. Vitamin E per 200 lbs. / daily + Sea-tabs based on body weight + Omega fish oil – 1 cup per polar bear per day. (Special ordered, comes in cans)
Fur concerns - Never had problems with coats.
Pacing – Youngest female w/circular swimming in pool, summer. Oldest female also paces on land in the summer. Stops as weather changes.
Management – Oldest female has den access all the time. There are 5 bear exhibits. (i.e., Grizzly included) Bears switch exhibits several times per week. So the other polar bears (excluding the oldest female) are on exhibit all the time. They don’t have indoor dens but they do have tunnels, hiding places outside. Social – 16 + 6 year-old are together. 26 year-old by herself and the same for the 3 year-old.
Pools- Freshwater, always running.
Enrichment – Yes.
Comments - had been using Mazuri Polar bear chow but had to switch to Omnivore over 2-3 years ago due to distribution difficulties. ***Would prefer Mazuri Polar Bear chow over current 50 / 50 mix. Mazuri Polar bear chow is good and palatable. Drastic weight loss after switch to Omnivore chow (i.e., oldest female would not consume it), so switched to 50 / 50 mix.
14) Cincinnati Zoo Diets fluctuate, chow amounts slightly
513-281-4700
1.2 Polar Bears: 1.1 siblings from Denver at 6 yrs. this Dec. 1.0, Ulaq ~ 650 / 700 + 0.1, Rizzo ~ 400 / 450 lbs.
+ 0.1, Berit (age?) from Buffalo. Had another male, sent out because too much aggression with two, 2.0.
40 Cups Mazuri Polar
Bear Chow for 1.0 (up to 48 cups) (Previous meat = Nebraska
Canine)
32 Cups Mazuri Polar Bear Chow for 0.1 (up to 38 cups)
1/3 of 5 lb. Log of Dallas Crown.
3 lbs. Herring
6 apples + 1 hardboiled egg + handful of grapes +
produce
Fed Diet at early AM, then late AM or PM enrichment: trail-mix, papaya, granola, citrus which they like.
Vitamins: 1 cup Menhaden Fish Oil to 4 slices bread for each bear + Mazuri Marine Mammal Vitamins (1 vitamin per 5 lbs. of food)
Menhaden Fish Oil is an Omega Product (804) 453 - 3830, comes in 5 lb. container
Diets down now, Dec. 27, 2003. Leaving behind about 2 cups chow, so diet decreased 2 cups.
Fur issues – In mid-Oct. to early spring, they see some scratching, rubbing during regular molt. Excellent coat for 1.0 all year. He swims year-round. // 0.2 won’t swim in the winter. For 0.2, fur loss worse for Berit this year, (lots of rubbing on back) starts in Oct., through March, April – when they start swimming, then it looks better. Last year Berit wasn’t that bad, but Rizzo was - this year reverse. Did biopsy for ringworm – negative. Thought coat conditions for females was due to contraceptive injections, so male castrated. // Male that was sent out had patchy loss. On 3/26/02 coats on all bears were good.
Pacing issues – No pacing, rare. But every once in awhile in the spring and summer, the male does a “treadmill” swim in the middle of the pool for about 30 minutes – it happens about 6 times. Has a very mild swim pace every so often. Nothing with the females.
Management – 3 Bears are housed together. 0.2 good w/social interactions all year. 0.2 are playful but not as much as the male. Their bears have been getting access for awhile now.
Enrichment – yes
Habitat - an older exhibit w/new portion, underwater viewing. No access during the day, but they prefer staying out in the summer and in the winter they want to stay in. Pool – Freshwater, ozone.
Comments - have been using Mazuri Polar Bear Chow for 4-5 years now and bears really like it.
15) Louisville Zoo Diets fluctuate?
502-459-2181, ext. 440
Polar Bears: 1.1 0.1 at 30 years ~ 450 - 500 lbs. / Had another female that died (cancer).
Obtained 1.0 Aquila from North Carolina, 11 years + 1,100 lbs.
1.0 is very active, constantly playing. Diet = 18 lbs. Nebraska feline + 10 lbs. Herring.
0.1 at 30 years, 430 lbs. Diet = about 5 lbs. Nebraska + 10 lbs. Herring
Mazuri Polar Bear Chow as enrichment only: Once every three days.
Vitamins – Seatabs per body weight / no lard
Main diet fed in AM. PM = enrichment: a few fish, ice-cubes, carrots, rice cakes, apples, marshmallow (for medication), peanut butter sandwiches
Fur issues – Now, end of December, both bears w/best coat all year. General coat thinning in the summer for her (30 year old) but compared to all the bears they’ve had, she has always had a pretty nice coat. They do get a patchy loss, starting in May but by Sept. / Oct. fur starts growing back. The male has a shorter coat – he never really gets that shaggy look, but right now (Dec.’03) his coat is full.
Pacing issues – For current female – no. For deceased female – had a year-long land pace. For current male – not really, not very pronounced. He’ll have a pace by the dens when the keepers are inside and he wants to go in, or during a gate when he is hesitant about coming in – but when he wants to gate, he gates in fine. He is very playful and keeps busy w/toys.
Management – 1.1 are kept separate. She has never been tolerant of male bears. The current and deceased female were kept together but they didn’t interact really, nor did they fight. // Two large holding dens, outdoors, in the back, w/separate pool. Rotate them between the different ones. The bears always stay out.
Habitat – Adequate but 30 years old. Pool, very, very large w/underwater viewing, but habitat all concrete. New exhibit to be built. Pool – Freshwater and chlorine.
Enrichment – yes.
Comments – Originally fed trout but no longer available so feeding herring. 3/26/02 commented that stool – 1.0 a little soft, but not runny. At 12/03 past few weeks female with very loose stool, but most likely age related, since diet has been the same. She has lived there for most of her life.
16) Assiniboine Park Zoo, Winnipeg, Manitoba Diet fluctuates?
204-986-2327
0.1 at 38 years old (Debbie), Weight unsure, but smaller than male who died 3 years ago at ~ 2,000 lbs.
Diet - Diet irregular – based on donations of local food stores like Cotsco and Safeway: a variety of packaged meats, sausages, hot dogs, etc. She prefers meat to fish, and generally eats everything she gets. She is offered whitefish and other freshwater fish varieties, but overall eats less fish than other polar bears. Dog chow, whatever supermarket brand is available. No vitamin or lard supplements.
Fur concerns - No fur issues. Winnipeg's long winter and abundance of snow may help keep her coat healthy.
Pacing or other stereotypic behaviors - None seen before, or after, death of partner.
Management - She is brought into den at night during the harsh winter to keep her protected. She used to sleep outdoors with the male, piled together. She gates immediately. In the summer, she is allowed free access to exhibit. 1.1 got along well socially and produced a number of offspring throughout the years.
Enrichment – yes
Pool - Large pond, which is emptied out in the winter. Otherwise, she swims in it two to three times a day. No filtration system, water is changed when algae grows.
Habitat - Covered by snow during much of the year. The exhibit is old, and they want to expand it, especially if at some point in the future they have new bears. The Assiniboine Park Zoo drew up polar bear facility guidelines for The Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and they currently meet all of their own requirements, except for having a soft substrate.
Comments: She is a happy, healthy bear, with no significant changes in behavior, diet or fur conditions since loss of male. She is perceived to be even more content now that she's alone.
17) Ecotarium Diet fluctuates, chow amounts
808-929-2700
0.1 Kenda at 20 years, wt~ 700 lbs.+
Has been alone for 2 years, since mother died. No significant changes in behavior, diet or fur condition since then. Eats well, plays with enrichment toys, loves to train.
3 to 15 lbs of Mazuri Polar Bear Chow, depending on season.
800g of Nebraska Canine + 200g of Nebraska Feline
2 mackerel a day.
Vitamin B and E supplements. No lard.
Sardines, peanut butter as reward for training
Daily treat: one lettuce core (her favorite), one apple and one carrot.
Fur concerns - No large-scale problems. She gets some rub marks typically in the fall, each year in a different spot. This year, she is a little sparse around the neck and front of front legs.
Pacing or other stereotypic behaviors - None seen before, or after, death of mother.
Management - 24-hour access to den and exhibit (only locked in when keeper cleans grounds).
Enrichment - yes
Habitat - Exhibit is about 30 years old. They would not introduce another bear there now. Walls are cement, exhibit surface is gunnite. No greenery or digging pit. Pool - Large pool with underwater viewing (approx. 20ft at deepest point), continuous sand filtration system, low level Chlorine.
Comments- They are thinking of switching from Nebraska to Milliken Brand.
18) Toronto Zoo Diet fluctuates, meat and fish (early spring still at low)
416-392-5901
Milliken Meat
1.2 Polar Bears: 1.0 at 23 yrs. ~ 1200 lbs. + 0.2 each at 25 years ~ 650 lbs.
Minimum range Diet at 4/4/02 = same for 1.0 + 0.2
Meat = 4 – 8 kg. Nebraska Feline and Canine diet mix. / At 12/03 update using “Feline Mix” (see below)
Fish = 4-6 individual herring per bear.
Chow = 2 Quarts each of Purina Dog Chow (Maintenance, Light Formula) / 12/03 – now using IAMS
Not including produce: apples + carrots + 350 g bean sprouts (each)
In the winter when the bears refuse fish they get 1 apple, carrot, acorn squash, every day at noon. One melon (i.e., honeydew) 3X per week, year-round. Enrichment foods too, i.e., honey, pumpkin
Tuesday = Fast Day
Vitamins: Whenever they receive fish: 200 IU vitamin E + 50 mg. B-1
No longer using Nebraska Feline. Currently they use just the carnivore diet, which is the “Feline Mix” – fed to all of their carnivores – it contains Milliken TZ diet. Dog chow changed from Purina to IAMS. Diet varies depending on season, i.e., meat can range from 4-8 kg.
Previous problem with fur loss with the low ranking female - lots of rubbing on the rocks – noted on 3/26/02.
Fur concerns – Not as bad now for the above mentioned female – She has been spayed since the last survey. Now, (12/03) general shedding, hair loss, but without the rubbing. For all 3, November – March, general fur loss – more noticeable for that female – not as bad, less noticeable for the other 1.0 and 0.1.
Pacing concerns – None within the last two years.
Management – On exhibit, bears are always out together. Inside at night, 1.0 is separate. He has two pens. 0.2 are fed separately, then inside together after feeding. Initially separated him because he will eat their food; just kept up the routine. 3 Bears very compatible – in pool, playing together. Will use pool year-round. Nov. – March, most socialization. Male is neutered – he tends to take notice of non-spayed female during breeding.
Enrichment – yes (i.e., gravel, wood mulch in pit)
Pool – Freshwater, already chlorinated
Habitat – Old-style, 25 years old. Concrete w/concrete rock. Reviewing for new habitat in 4 yrs.
19) Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo Diet fluctuates; decrease fall / December eats more steadily
216-661-6500, ext. 4450
1.2 Polar Bears: 0.1, Snowflake, at 32 yrs. (the mom, housed alone, ~ 600lbs.)
0.1, Aurora, at 21 yrs. 500-550 lbs. + 1.0, Little One, at 14 yrs. 745 lbs. (They are half brother and sister.)
Diet = Dad's Chunx Dog Food (a solid food)
1.0 gets 5 - 14 lbs.
0.1 at 21 yrs. gets 9 lbs. (averages 5 -10 lbs.)
0.1 at 32 yrs. gets 3 - 6 lbs.
Produce:1-2: carrots, pears, sweet potatoes, and apple for each /day. 0.1 at 32 yrs. likes oranges - gets one per day.
Fish: 3-5 lbs. per week for each. Fed off and on as treats for going inside. Fly problems if heavy fish consumption in summer.
Had tried horseshank in past, also, bonemeal as supplement.
Comments only bears in zoo with loose stool.
Dec. ’03, bears eating light. “Holiday Lights” might be disrupting schedule.
1.0 diet fallen of a few months ago – eating steady now. Need to watch him, he drops weight easily. // 0.1 at 32 yrs. – soaking her chow. Before she was hardly eating. Now, soaked, eats it readily, tooth related (?)
Pacing concerns – Only Aurora, has a land pace, walk; year-long. (Aurora born at Cleveland, sent out at 11 months. Has lived in Germany, Milwaukee Zoo. She has been back at Cleveland for 2 years.) Very easy to break her pace. Not a deep, hard pace and not an all day affair, i.e., she will stop to sleep, etc., but she does spend quite a bit of time doing it.
Fur concerns – 1.0 w/excellent coat year-round + oldest 0.1 – Spring, general shedding of the undercoat. For Aurora – normally (past 2 years her coat has looked beautiful. Now, ending 12/03, coat over entire body, on back, where you can see skin. Not patchy – coat solid, just very thin, Keeper notes – This has been a very stressful fall for Aurora. Back in October, they had to re-do her door – it took one week to work do, plus the new door spooked her – It took over two months for her gating get back to normal and it has currently just gotten better.
Management – Their original bears were Snowball, 1.0 Nyaut (died at 27) and 0.1 Daisy (died at 26) – All three lived together for 20, plus years – unless they had cubs – they were out most nights. Latest keeper decided to gate the bears in at night as a personal choice. Oldest female in her own habitat. All brought indoors at night. Other 1.1 separate inside at night but outside together during the day.
Comments – Aurora and Little One “hang-out” in different parts of the habitat. 1.0 temperament is very laid back. He did not get experience with other with other bears since separated from Snowflake. He will try to follow Aurora but she does not like him too close. // 1.0 is in the water a lot. Aurora, is not a big “in the pool” player. After summer, their use of the pool ceases. (Pool level is kept lower in the winter, since it can freeze over and bears could walk across. Great enrichment when it ices over.) 0.1 goes through phases of using the pool, off and on.
Additional – They are using woodchips for bedding with a layer of straw on top. Helps in terms of cleanliness of coats and keeping feet dry. Their holding doesn’t dry very well. Had problems with foot sores between the toes for the younger male and female. (It might be genetic, their dad, Nyaut, now deceased, had foot problems as well. Snowball had seizures a few years ago – given Phenobarbital. She is doing well, moves around the habitat fine.
Enrichment – Outside, not as much as they’d like. Habitat is not feasible. Inside, boxes, grasses (but not for 1.0), pine trees.
Habitat – Older-style gunnite habitat. Comments – The majority of their exhibit is above the public viewing-line – a study suggested that their bears might fair better because they are not being made to feel stared down at. Pools – Freshwater w/continued flow into pool from 2” fire hose.
20) Erie Zoo 2.0, 5 yrs. Eat consistent year-round
814-864-4091
2.0 Polar Bears, Mizar and Alcor at age 5 yr. No weights available. From Toledo May, 2001 (born in Hogle Zoo, ~ 1 year, went to Toledo)
25 lbs. Nebraska Feline Diet - between the two per day Their appetite is consistent year-round. Diet amounts are adjusted
16 lbs. Mazuri Polar Bear Chow - between the two per day according to how their physical appearance. Fed twice a day.
Fish – They usually just get fish in the summer, caught locally by fishermen.
They will try to freeze some and store a supply into the fall.
Some apples, carrots, and food as enrichment.
No vitamins
Fur concerns – None. Nice coats year-round. No general shedding noticed either.
Pace concerns – None. Both very active and playful. They use the pool year-round.
Management – Access given all the time. Den area is small. (Noises, machinery, do make them nervous. Not phased by the public, they spend a lot of time at the front of the moat. Some shrubbery at front.)
Enrichment – yes, but limited because of exhibit moat; use food, ice-blocks.
Habitat – Older, open-moated exhibit. Size inadequate, designing a new one.
Pool – Freshwater with constant flow, nothing added. Tested daily, dropped for cleaning weekly.
Comments: Original pair = 1.0 (lived to 28) and 0.1 (lived to 35) – 0.1 raised 3 cubs. Spent their lives at the zoo, coats always excellent, and 1.0 with a rare pace, walking along the front of the moat.
21) Los Angeles Zoo Bear deceased at 12/26/03 update, died several months ago, history significant Diet fluctuated slightly
323-644-6400 (see below)
0.1 Polar Bear, Sweetheart, at 36 years old. Last weight several years ago ~ 567 lbs. Lost male (brother, Bruno) at 30 years old, 6 yrs. ago.
6 to 8 lbs. Pure Ground Horsemeat (some recent problem digesting Nebraska Feline so switch to pure meat.)
2 lbs. Capelin
2 lbs. Mackerel / Sardine / Herring
Squid Occasionally
2 lbs. Mazuri Polar Bear Diet (Eats it about every other day. Before was on dog kibble.) She ate chow better when soaked but she did not Produce = 1 head lettuce, 1 carrot, 3 yams, 1/8 lb. grapes, 4 hardboiled eggs have bad teeth.
Vitamins = 5 of 400 IU Vitamin E / daily + Seatabs at 5 per day.
Sweetheart's appetite was a bit higher late spring and into summer and only a 2-3 lb. drop in fall/winter.
Enrichments: Blankets, rugs, heavy towels, mats, hay given as enrichment at favored rubbing sites. Helps to keep her from rubbing against the rocks. Bear good about not ingesting items.
Fur concerns – Fine with coat, but not a thick coat - Weather mild. 0.1 would rub bald spots on her head and neck during molt time – going into the fall, sometimes noticed in the spring. Keeper involvement got her to stop rubbing (to the point of open sores). Rolling and grooming is normal, but not when it leads to open sores – substrates provided so that she was not laying on the concrete: wood roll, hay pile, large burlap blankets, rubber mat. They have an old exhibit, so the point was to give her material to dry on, so that she stopped rubbing on the concrete. Indoors, 0.1 also used brushes (with medium stiffness) tied onto column for scratching. / 1.0, would also rub to the point of open sores.
Pacing concerns – Yes for both, year-round for both. (She stopped after he died, when she was given habitat access paired with enrichments.) She had “neurotic” behaviors before he died that were the same after, plus new ones. The first change that was made after 1.0’s death was to give her habitat access at night . This immediately stopped one of her pacing patterns by the cave. Later, she was also given access to holding during the day. Keeper feels that access made all the difference in her improved behavior, including the intensive enrichment interruptions. (Pace types = multiple, swim in pool, walk and head swinging on land, etc. Both had one stereotypy that they did in the same time but in reverse.)
Comments: Used Mazuri only for past 1.5 years.
At 36, she was still a very active bear. During her last year, she stopped climbing to the higher portions of her habitat, but otherwise very active. Could be active for 1-2 hours after morning release, then again in the PM at 3:00. She did not use the pool as regularly in the winter, i.e., once every 4 days as opposed to daily in the summer. // Keeper felt that some of 0.1 stereotypy was directed at male.
Management – Previous. 1.1 inside together. Then 0.1 access all of the time.</