At the San Diego Zoo, social media responded to a viral video of a very lethargic polar bear in its enclosure drooling and panting. It had been a Reddit photo and comment that began to worry animal advocates:
Visited the zoo and was expecting to see the polar bear enclosure filled with lots of ice,colder environment/ambiance, etc. but it was very dry and warm? He was panting too and seemed hot. There were also birds from small to average size in there too, is this even okay or normal? Is there anything I can do to help like send them an email or make a go fund me anything?
The three polar bears at the San Diego Zoo – Chinook, Kalluk and Tatqiq had been rescued as orphans. The cubs would not have survived in the wild without a mother to protect and feed them, and in order to save them, the expert team at the zoo provided them with an environment to mimic their natural habitats.
A recent TikTok video (since deleted) showed what appeared to be the male polar bear Kalluk seemingly in discomfort. In response, the zoo stated that springtime is mating season, and with that in mind, the polar bears spend most of their time pursuing females instead of hunting and feeding. In addition, they often salivate and pant.
According to the zoo staff, Kalluk has been doing his best to impress the female Chinook. Both polar bears are being carefully monitored. Mating season can last several weeks.
Polar bears do not hibernate, but are known to rest and sleep up t0 20 hours a day. At the zoo, the polar bears can be seen at the Conrad Preby’s Polar Bear Plunge.
Here they are:
Polar bears are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. There are estimated to be between 20,000 to 31,000 in the wild. Some populations have been doing well, however the overall population is considered vulnerable due to threats which include climate changes, population and loss of natural environments due to energy development.
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