20.6.2023 by Ralph Morton
My third visit this year in May to Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP) found Mum Flocke and Daughter Tala still together in Project Polar 2. This fourth year is likely to see Flocke follow Tonja in saying goodbye to a lively grown up girl.
Monday found them both waiting by the wire. Tala tends to stay white as she swims a lot. Flocke loves rolling in the mud and so is greater. Her fur is longer too.
Tala soon wandered off leaving Flocke on her own, still hoping some food would arrive. She is a very pretty bear.
A bit later Tala was back at the wire. She is a very energetic and clever bear, as her appearance shows.
Flocke gave a good demonstration on Tuesday morning of how she avoids being too white!
She then walked along the wire to show off.
Polar Bears like many animals get comfort from suckling. Flocke still lets Tala do this, though I think she is no longer feeding.
These photos of Flocke and Tala together may soon be rarer, but for the time being they are comfortable with each other.
Dear Ralph!
Time passes by so quickly and ‘our’ polar bear babies grow so fast! Perhaps it’s soon time for Tala to leave mama Flocke although I hope they can stay together a little longer. Of course, it all depends on how well the mother and daughter are getting along.
Thank you so much for this somewhat nostalgic report from YWP!
Hugs from Mervi
JA, hoffentlich kommen Flocke und Tala
noch eine Weile gut miteinander aus!!!🐻❄️🐻❄️✊ Tala wird wohl nicht im YWP bleiben können und Flocke wird dann bestimmt neue Gesellschaft bekommen…’Eisbären-Karussell”…🤔
Dear Ralph!
Thank you for your update!
So far, things are looking quite harmonious between Flocke and Tala and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a little longer! However, I hope for both bears that their lives will be happy!
Hugs
Anke
Dear Ralph!
I think Tala and Flocke are on the good terms. They can stay together.
Hugs
Ludmila
ear Ralph
It also needs to be learned, how can I not stay white as a polar bear. Flocke has already learned. Tala, because of her youth, still has time to learn how not to stay white.
It surprises me every time I see a mum letting her more or less fully grown offspring have a go at the milk bar.
I am very happy that Flocke and Tala still get along.
Thank you for your report and your descriptions.
Hugs,
Anita
Dear Ralph,
The mother-child idyll is heart-warming, but unfortunately it won’t last much longer and that’s why we particularly enjoy these scenes and I’m happy for you that you were able to witness them on your third visit there this year.
The different need for cleaning is often seen in bears and seems to reveal their love of water or even more water shy bears.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful impressions with us.
Best Regards
Britta-Gudrun
Very interesting report!
Flocke has a strong bond
to her daughter. Its special,
that they are together after
such a long time… 🙂