10.12.2025 by Michelle Rippey
Here’s Part 2 of Siku’s 16th birthday yesterday at the Henry Vilas Zoo (Madison). It was & is definitely polar bear weather outside. Have a great day and stay warm. ✌️❤️&🐻❄️
Siku has headed to the other side with his drum (formerly the Grizzly habitat)
Rolling along….
Siku just rolling out the barrel….
Yes, Siku….your audience followed you
Looks like you’re about to do something….
Let the barrel fly….
It was a perfect landing…
Time for another toss….
And another perfect landing….
The size of those paws 🐾
A brief break after more compressions
What’s next, Siku?
Time to relax at the poolside….
Siku is listening to us talk about him. Siku had a friend travel 4 hours by bus from Chicago for his special day. 🥰
The habitat is open on top, so Siku can hear us, but a wee bit confused because our voices are coming from above.
“I see you standing there, but I hear your voices….”
“Up there.” I’m told you can hear really well inside the habitat.
The handsome birthday boy
Time for a drink…
Well, Siku…..how was your sweet 16th & first Wisconsin birthday ?
“It was awesome! Let’s do it again next year!
Siku hatte Spaß mit dem blauen Fass.
Eine schöne Fotoserie ! 🙂
Vielen Dank für die tollen Fotogrüße von Sikus 16.Geburtstag!!👍 Die blaue Tonne ist wohl das Highlight des Tages für Siku gewesen, ganz abgesehen von den beiden Besuchern, die nicht nur die schönen Fotos von ihm gemacht, sondern sich sehr angeregt über ihn unterhalten haben…🐻❄️😉😊
Dear Michelle!
Thank you for these wonderful photos!
When you see Siku playing with the blue bin, you know he’s a bear to fall in love with. The play scenes are great, but I also like the pictures where he looks a little thoughtful and wrinkles his nose while wondering where the voices are coming from.
Hugs
Anke
Dear Michelle,
Even at 16 years old, Siku is still a playful polar bear and he really enjoys playing with this big blue barrel. All bears try to take their toys apart, but I don’t think he’ll be able to do that with this barrel.
Thank you for the great photos and best regards,
Britta-Gudrun
Dear Michelle!
Thank you for the wonderful pictures. It is great to see Siku playing with a blue barrel in the snow.
Hugs
Ludmila