September in Gelsenkirchen

29.11.2023 by Ralph Morton

Zoom Gelsenkirchen was the first zoo I visited in Autumn 2006 to look at Polar Bears. It was very special to be back there for the first time since 2019.

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There are two big enclosures and one smaller enclosure. They have plenty of space and water with different terrain. When I arrived Lara was by the wall of the dens and Bill was on the island.

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This was the closest Bill came to me.

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Later it was Lara who came close

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I first saw Lara back in 2006 when her mum Olinka was still with her after coming together from Vienna Zoo.

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Although Lara was brought up very strictly and was a firm mother to her daughter Nanook, she is playful and curious.

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Lara remains a very beautiful Polar Bear.

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These notices give you a clue why I made the first visit to Gelsenkirchen back in 2006.

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Antonia featured in a German TV described as a Daschund Bear because of her short legs.

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The warm weather brought Antonia into the water to cool down.

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Later Antonia, as befits the oldest Polar Bear in a Zoo, settled down in the sun.

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After entertaining her young visitors Lara showed how tired she was with a large Polar Bear yawn.

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As for Bill, he was doing what male Polar Bears do best, as little as possible.

Three very different, but wonderful Polar Bears in one of the best enclosure areas in Germany.

6 Comments

  1. Hello Ralph
    You had a fine, sunny day in September,
    meeting Lara, Bill and lovely Antonia.
    Thank you for the detailed report! 🙂
    Greetings
    Chris

  2. Dear Ralph!
    Thank you for your lovely report, which clearly shows how much you enjoyed your visit to Zoom Gelsenkirchen. Three magnificent polar bears doing well in a great enclosure – what more could you want?
    Your photos have that certain something. I particularly like the close-ups on the pane, the soft-focus Antonia and the humorous captions and descriptions.

    Hugs
    Anke

  3. Vielen Dank für die schönen herbstlichen Fotogrüße von den drei Eisbären ❣🐻‍❄️🐻‍❄️🐻‍❄️👌
    Lara ist wirklich eine sehr schöne Eisbärin und Antonia beeindruckt mich immer wieder aufs Neue!! Sie genießt ihr Leben!! Dass sie so alt wird, wer hätte das gedacht!!

  4. Dear Ralph,

    How nice that we have another report from Gelsenkirchen from you. I always enjoy seeing everbodys darling Antonia in particular!
    Bill and Lara are two equally beautiful bears who are doing really well in this beautiful enclosure.

    Many thanks for your report and best wishes!
    Britta-Gudrun

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