12.1.2021 by Molly Merrrow
Louisville Zoo keepers put together a colorful and fun donut-themed party to celebrate wildborn polar bear Qannik’s tenth birthday on January 9, the day before her official assigned birthday of January 10. Since she was born in the wild, no one knows her exact birthday.
The birthday party, which is an annual event at the zoo, was not generally publicized so most of those present were local media and zoo staff. I went with my friend Carol. Everyone was wearing masks, as they should be. Zoo Director John Walczak said a few words and then we all sang Happy Birthday as Qannik raced down the ramp into the midst of the party treats.
The keepers had used her favorite flavors: peanut butter, blue berry and pumpkin, to decorate toys to look like donuts with frosting and sprinkles. There was also a leftover Christmas tree festooned with cardboard donuts (with peanut butter), and sliced apples. She had some nice flavored ice treats too.
Her big birthday present was a giant pickle. She had one before, but the grizzly bears got hold of it and pretty much destroyed it, so now she has a new one. Don’t let Inga, Rita or Otis near the new pickle! 🙂
It was ten years ago that Qannik was born in a den in an oilfield in the North Slope in Northern Alaska. She and her mother and sister had been tagged and then released. A terrible snowstorm separated the family, and Qannik was found alone, weighing just 13 pounds, and taken to the Alaska Zoo to gain strength. In late June of 2011 she was flown to the Louisville Zoo, where keepers continued to nurture her and help her grow into a beautiful adult polar bear at Glacier Run.
Since she was raised by hand, she is very attuned to people, and loves to sit and pose for photos, and play with the children through the glass.
A new male polar bear, Lee, came to the zoo in late summer, in great secrecy, and it was just recently announced publicly. The Columbus Zoo needed room since Aurora has a year old cub and Anana is currently in her den, maybe with another cub. Lee cannot yet be seen by the public in Louisville.
No doubt Lee and Qannik have seen and smelled each other in the underground area that is behind the scenes where their bedrooms are located. They will not be put together because Qannik is property of Fish and Wildlife, and is not authorized to breed. Lee is the father of Kulu, the cub at the Columbus Zoo.
Qannik is very happy to just be by herself, however. And now she has a new pickle. Happy Birthday, sweet girl.
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