17.7.2025 by Michelle Rippey
July 15th was the Arctic Sea Ice Day! This occurs annually on this day as declared by the non-profit organization Polar Bears International. It was created to draw attention to the rapidly melting Arctic ecosystem. The Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison) is home to a beautiful lady 🐻❄️….Berit😍. Here’s a whole lot of Berit from my visit on the 7th of July. Have a beautiful day. ✌️❤️&🐻❄️
During my visit Berit was in the grizzly habitat (the grizzly girls were in hers)
Ahhh…..floating away
Beautiful Berit 😍
Though the grizzly pool is much smaller Berit still managed to swim her laps.
Lots of shake offs…. Very close to the visitors…. 🙂
Bubbles in between shake offs….
Back to laps….
Up close bubbles 🫧
Shake off and float
👁 see you, Berit 👁
Berit seemed to really enjoy her day in the grizzly habitat 🥰
Found a log….
Berit is 26 years young and will turn 27 on December 28th.
Born in the Denver Zoo….
Berit then spent 16 years in Cincinnati….
In 2016 Berit moved to the Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison).
She has a large and beautiful habitat in Madison.
Berit recommends following Polar Bears International 🐻❄️
Dear Michelle!
Berit do the very best to represen the polar bears on the special day.
The pictures are wonderful.
Hugs
Ludmila
Dear Michlle,
Berit gets top marks for her swimming style!
It’s great fun to watch her perform, which you have documented with great photos and which show that old ladies still have a lot of power and charm!
Many thanks and best regards
Brita-Guddrun
Dear Michelle!
Thank you for your great photos of lovely Berit! I love how much she enjoys swimming and think she is absolutely beautiful. I am always amazed by her and wish her many more good and healthy years!
Hugs
Anke
Berit,die betagte Eisbärin,versteht es, sich fit und gesund zu halten und ihr Leben zu genießen!!👍
Ich wünsche der Schönen weiterhin alles Gute und sage Danke für die tollen Fotogrüße zu diesem besonderen Anlass !!🐻❄️👌✊
Alles Gute für die alte Dame! 🙂
Our beautiful Berit does love to swim, even in a small pool.
She looks pretty good for an old girl. We miss her a lot in Cincinnati. Thanks for the photos so we can still visit her in that way. Maybe another trip to Henry Vilas, that would be nice.
Molly