10.5.2023 by Kristin Dewey
The glass, although it had been cleaned before they went on exhibit, does have a lot of condensation and polar bear fur so it doesn’t make for great close ups but I still like them.
The bears were really super busy. Kallu was sticking close to mom but Kallik was swimming and coming up to the glass. The kids were lovely when they were wrestling and they did so right up by the glass.
The boys were born day after Crystal’s birthday. Her birthday is November 10th and theirs is 11.11.2022. The water in the exhibit is saltwater and kept at 60°F/15.5°C according to the zoo director. I believe the director said the tank is around 100,000 gallons or 378,541 liters.
Btw, the cubs weigh:
Kallu : 103 lbs/46.72 kg
Kallik: 93 lbs/ 42.18 kg
Also you can tell them apart because Kallu is the chunky one and stays by mom. Kallik LOVES the water and often chases Kallu away so he can have the pool to himself. He likes to leap off of the ledges. He’s a little fish. 🙂
This window needs cleaning!
Mervi’s note: Wow! This photo looks like it was taken in the wild!
We were surprised when they said Crystal was expecting because she turned 24 last year. Thats old for a polar bear mother but we now she got these beauties. Nuka the father had come from Detroit after Marty, the father of her 7 previous children died, is now back in Detroit.
Here’s a photo of Marty who was Crystals mate until he had to be euthanized due to a kidney disease. I loved Marty. The volunteer was saying yesterday that Marty was like a big teddy bear who loved to be around people whereas Crystal, not so much.
Bye bye from Toledo! We hope to be back soon.
Great run down of Crystal and her boys. Such smashing photos too. Thanks Kristin. We have watched them grow on the den cam, the inside pool cam and now the exhibit cam. From the little scraps they were to the smashing boys they have become. Here’s to a great future for this lovely family!! xx
Dear Kristine and Mervi
What beautiful photos of the Toledo Bears. Thank you for all the background information about them.
Dear Kristin
Your photos are great ! 🙂
Like Mervi said: some of them
look like they were made in the
wild. The cubbies are very curious
and playful. The mother seems to be
relaxed: she knows how to raise bears.
Greetings
Chris
Dear Kristin!
Thank you so much for this wonderful post with the fantastic photos of the polar bear family! It’s great to feel the bond with the bears that speaks from every word. The cubs, like all mini bears, are simply adorable.
It is always more than sad when beloved animals fall ill and have to be let go. I am so sorry that Crystal’s former companion, the big teddy bear Marty, died under these circumstances.
It’s all the nicer that Crystal can now lovingly care for cubs one more time.
Hugs
Anke
Thank you very much dear Mervi and Kristin.
Best wishes to Crystal, Kallik and Kallu.
I am so sorry for the loss of Marty. May he rest in peace.
Dear Kristin and Mervi!
Thank you for the interesting report about Crystal, Kallik and Kallu.
Hugs
Ludmila