6.4.2024 – Source: Tallinn Zoo, Photos by Imbi Taniel and Inari Leiman
Tallinn Zoo’s star couple will no longer be in a “relationship”: the male polar bear is looking for a new bride.
For several years in a row, the offspring of polar bears living in the Tallinn Zoo have died shortly after birth. Friida and Rasputin will not meet again to have offspring, and a new bride will be found for the male bear.
Rasputin aka Raspi
According to the zoo, although Friida lives near Rasputin, the bears will not meet this year. The species coordinator will look for a young female bear with a good set of genes for the male.
Raspi
For several years in a row, attempts to raise polar bear cubs in the Tallinn Zoo have failed. Although Friida gave birth to cubs, none of them survived. By now, the female bear is of such an age that further mating is undesirable and inadvisable. The elderly Friida will henceforth take care of her “pensioner” business.
Friida
There was no information of which one of the bears will move …..
Friida
Meanwhile, the polar bears are enjoying the cold April weather. Frida twirls a small fir tree in her paws or plays with her favorite toys.
Peace and quiet – Friida enjoying a trip to the Napland
Is Raspi already dreaming of a new bride?
Dear Imbi und Inari
Dear Mervi
Thank you for the current information and the pictures from Tallin.
Friida will no longer have any children. A right decision.
So Rasputin gets a new partner.
I’m curious what will happen next.
Hugs,
Anita
Dear Mervi,
I have to smile a little bit because Frieda is now going into maternity retirement. Hopefully she won’t be deported “somewhere” as an unproductive bear.
Rasputin has shown himself to be a fertile father and has had 4 wonderful cubs with Flocke. So the gene pool is secure, why is it necessary to continue breeding with him?
Ja, wenn es Friidasein sollte, die den Zoo Tallinn verlassen muss,bekommt sie hoffentlich einen guten Platz!! Ich denke da auch an Charlotte, die sich im Karlsruher Zoo sehr wohlgefühlt hat und nun hört und sieht man leider gar nichts mehr von ihr…
Rasputin ist schon viermal Vater geworden, ob ihm das nochmal mit einer anderen Partnerin gelingen wird..?
Und wohin dann mit dem Eisbärchen…?🐻❄️🐻❄️🤔
Dear Mervi, Imbi and Inari!
I think the decision that Friida should no longer breed after her cubs have died several times shortly after birth is correct and justified.
However, there is the drop of bitterness that Raspi will have to go travelling again. Or Friida has to leave her home zoo, which I think is just as bad.
Just like Britta Gudrun, I wonder why Raspi should have offspring with another female bear. There are still some young polar bears who need a home…
It’s a pity that there are hardly any (male) polar bears that have a safe permanent home.
Thanks for this update from Tallin.
Both bears look great.
Hugs
Anke
Dear Mervi!
It is a good decision that Frida would not have any cubs. I hope the nett decidions about Frida and Raspi will be the good too.
Hugs
Ludmila
Unfortunately the zoos have to consider whether female bears should be denied the chance to have cubs. This is a necessary part of keeping animals in captivity.
There are now a number of places where Polar Bears can move to
Thank you very much dear Mervi, Imbi and Inari.
Best wishes to Friida and Raspi.