28.9.2016 by Ralph
(Monika aus Berlin has kindly allowed me to use some of her photos here)
On Friday 19 September Mini Kati and I were very early in arriving at Terminal 5, but were lucky to find a nice restaurant already open. The very helpful staff explained that we could refill our coffee again and again, so I decided to have a lengthy breakfast treat. We started with porridge which was served with extras. Mini-Kati liked these very much.
We both enjoyed this but were still feeling hungry as there was a long day ahead. Mini-Kati does not really like English breakfasts but the idea of Eggs Benedict with Asparagus appealed to both of us.
I suggested to Mini-Kati that she did not much assistance in shopping. However, she had already seen a familiar face from our last visit to Terminal 5, when she had put her pawprint in the Queen’s Birthday book.
Mini-Kati enjoyed chatting to Her Majesty, but then she found another Royal Person.
Mini-Kati asked if the Royal Bear knew Teddybaerenmutti und Teddybaerenvater, which of course she did, and asked to be remembered to them.
All seemed to be going very well, but we had not noticed how bad the weather was outside. It looked for a while as if all the flights were going to be cancelled because of bad weather. Fortunately I found out that the crew of our BA airbus were flying in from Venice and hoped that they would be able to take off again for Berlin within their allowed times. Mini-Kati was very concerned and suggested that we contact Uncle Sergei as she had found just the airliner for us to travel on.
Fortunately, the excellent crew decided they could fly us to Berlin. It was only a few hours later that Mini-Kati and I were sitting on the bus from Tegel Airport and getting ready to visit the Zoo.
We were delighted to find that our favourite Polar Bear lady was waiting for us. Katjuscha was looking in excellent shape.
We were soon joined by Monika from Berlin, who was delighted to meet my other travelling companion.
Clarence is named after the founder of “Birds Eye” frozen foods and appeared in a series of adverts on TV in the UK, sitting in a fridge promoting frozen food. I have a number of Clarences, rescued from Charity shops.
I was keen to see the Hippos being fed and here the talk by their keeper which takes places at 1530. However, first of all I had to go and get my tickets for Bremerhaven (see my separate report). This done, I was safely back in the Hippo House.
Just as my mother and I liked Polar Bears, my late father and I always liked Hippos, because of their size and agility in the water. I have usually stopped at the Hippo House to pat Knautschke, the hippo who was in the Zoo when I visited with my parents in 1961. Mini-Kati wanted to meet him too.
The real hippos were of course even more impressive
After such a long day, it was soon time to go to my hotel. Saturday was going to be a somewhat rainy day, but Monika agreed to meet me in the Zoo again on Monday morning after my trip to Bremerhaven.
On Saturday I was lucky enough to be in the Zoo at the start of the day. Kati was in her hole but then came out to take a look.
I always like the way in which Kati poses as a wild bear waiting for her food to appear.
Kati also likes to have a good rub of her fur, although she does not have any of the signs of algae or parasites that Tonja has.
he real highlight of the morning though came at about 11oclock when Kati decided to go for a swim. I was at the viewing bay glass with some families watching her, when she suddenly decided to swim straight towards me. I greeted her of course, and was delighted when she rubbed the back of her head against the glass just as the ladies had done in the days when they ate bread rolls and nuts for the crowds. Kati is a fine lady and a beautiful Polar Bear.
Soon after, it started to rain and I went into the Europa Centre before going on to the Tierpark. I was able to buy some laser glass cubes in the shop from the pattern of Knut left by Doris Webb so many years ago. I was delighted that the shop owner remembered this very well and was able to make me some more cubes. I also found a Knut and Thomas Doerflein medal in a nearby coin shop which I bought as a spare.
In the afternoon I visited the Tierpark. The weather was not very good but I was able to spend a lot of time relaxing near Aika and Tonja.
Aika is looking very well and has a beautiful face like Vienna and Kati. But the biggest surprise was Tonja.
She has the most gorgeous ridges above her eyes and of course is now (sorry, Tonja) looking just like Mama Cass.
Unfortunately her fur is not as fine as it should be, but Tonja did not seem to mind and was very happy. When the time came for Tonja and Aika to go into their Hoelle, I witnessed an unusual scene, which I was not able to ask the keepers about. Aika tried to follow Tonja into her hole entrance. Tonja turned and gave out a long deep Klageruf (the howl like a cub rather than the growl which one would expect). Aika was surprised as well and backed off without replying.
The procedure in the Tierpark is now well established. Aika and Tonja go in between 330 and 4 oclock. The keeper then spreads some fruit and veg over the area. Wolodja appeared soon after.
He went round the area gathering and eating the fruit. He then paused for a while at Tonja’s entrance to see if she would come out. On both days I was there, Wolodja showed no interest in the water (something he did last time I was in Berlin) and instead made straight for the mulch bed, which is a great hit with the Polars.
Wolodja is just the sweetest Teddy and he and Tonja make an excellent couple.
I was back in Berlin again on Monday morning to meet Monika at the Zoo and see a few more of the animals there. After spending time with Kati we visited the Alpacas, who are a favourite of Monika’s and then I was introduced to Plato.
Plato is making good use of a tree trunk in Siddy’s old enclosure and I must admit this is the first time I have been up so close to a big bear like him.
As someone who grew up with the book and the Disney Film of the “Jungle Book” Plato is Balou!
“Why use the paw when you can use the claw!”
No visit to the Zoo is complete without showing one’s respects to Fatou. The grand old lady watches the crowds with the fascination and look of Margaret Rutherford playing Miss Marple. Fatou is wise beyond her years, and deserves many more..
At the other end of the generation scale is Anchali. Her little herd of Asian elephants is well looked after and this keeper enjoys his talk to the public.
It was all too soon that I had to say goodbye to Monika, but she wanted to take one last shot of my new and old travelling companions.
The Tierpark has some fantastic animals. Unfortunately the Vari walk was closed but I did get to see all three of another of my favourite animals, the Bunt or Gold Marder. I could not capture them on shot but Monika has this great picture which tells the story.
In the Elephant House I treated myself to a plush Okapi from the gift shop and then introduced him to Thanos, who was having his tea as well.
And then to Edgar
After that, it was time to spend a few quiet moments with Wolodja and then head back to Tegel.
My evening flight was quiet and uneventful and I even slept on both the plane and bus home. I was thankful that the weekend had passed off so well and grateful for the help of so many friends and strangers along the way.
Be the first to comment