23.9.2019 by Ralph Morton
I was very relieved to arrive in Aalborg on Wednesday morning. The arrangements had worked better than I could have hoped. Danish State Railways had been efficient and comfortable. My large IKEA bag containing the Bukowsky bear from Tivoli and luggage were left at the excellent Jomfru Ana Hotel. I was also excited to be meeting Jeanette and Susanne again.
Nord was doing what Wolodja did in Berlin and Bill in Gelsenkirchen, power swimming in the main pool. I have also seen the males do this in Doncaster and it seems to be a way of working off excess energy and reducing tension.
The swim seemed to relax Nord and he was soon in the place which both Malik and her girls like to sit, by the central rock pillar in the big enclosure. The rock gives an idea of how big Nord is.
One of the ways in which the Aalborg keepers ensure that the bears do not get bored is to replace set feeding times with randomly timed visits with small toys, treats or even big pieces of meat. Nord had obviously got used to this and was continually scanning for keepers!
Half of the day was spent in the upper enclosure, and this is where Nord received a large piece of meat.
The varied terrain of the upper enclosure includes a den on the left in the picture which Nord liked to use as a hide. Like all Polar Bears Nord enjoys branches, leaves and twigs.
We were told by the keepers that Malik was inside, because after the mating with Nord, she was now keen to be alone and keep away from him. However, she was free to come outside. Malik is a clever and brave bear and had worked out how to move around the edge of the enclosure before Nord could track her. She also knew how much space she needed to run away from him. In the wild, her mate or another male might also appear in this way, so Malik is using skills she would have to in the wild.
Malik has gained a lot of weight and it is easy to see why she might want to be alone. But of course the little cubs cannot be detected from this. Despite Nord’s presence, Malik took her time to enjoy the sun and even clean her fur in the pool.
Here, Malik creeps along the back of the enclosure looking for treats. Nord was quite relaxed and it was a long time before he noticed her. But then it was time for her to make a swift exit!
It was arranged that Nord would leave Aalborg as soon as possible for the Scandinavian Park. Jeanette will be there to see him off, which should be on 19 September.
Meanwhile Nuka and Quillak were in command of the main enclosure.
It is now impossible, even for the keepers, to tell them apart. Nuka is now as big as Quillak. Nuka is the more inquisitive of the two and we were soon to renew our three year long friendship.
My shopping back has always attracted Nuka and she soon came to the glass.
I lowered my head to greet her at the same level eye to eye. I am very grateful to the keeper at Bremerhaven for explaining the importance of this in the Polar Bear world.
I was pleased that Nuka came back to see me a few times. There were also other people and animals for her to see.
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