10.9.2020 by Ralph Morton
Tuesday morning found me at the glass in front of the large water tank in the upper enclosure at Marineland. My plastic bag soon attracted the attention of Raspi’s daughter Tala. She was playing with me, full of curiosity.
Tala may be the smallest member of the family but like all female Polar Bears she is very strongwilled and intelligent. She was determined to investigate me thoroughly.
Other people naturally also wanted to play with Tala. The glass underwater screens are one of the best enrichment tools you can have. Every Zoo with them allows a really close encounter with inquisitive and playful Polar Bears.
Other visitors were soon playing with Tala. The tanks are filled with filtered seawater from the Mediterranean which is next door to the park. In the bright sunshine the water was a brilliant blue. Tala was fascinated by the various phones pointed at her.
The cubs are very good natured with one another and enjoy playfighting but never seemed to actually fight. The two boys, Indiana and Yuma were not at the glass as often as Tala.
Any object becomes a toy. An old bone or some grass will do.
Tala seems to hover in the water as she concentrates on her toy.
The cubs have grown considerably in the last few months. Although I was sorry to miss them looking as small and cute as Imaq last year in Copenhagen, it was really special to see three healthy growing cubs. Some idea of how big they are can be seen when you remember how tall the viewing windows are.
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