18.10.2023 by Ralph Morton
On Sunday 10 September I was at the entrance to Hagenbecks Tierpark when it opened for the day. I hurried to the Polar Bear enclosure.
Victoria was standing on the rocky shoreline in front of the main viewing window looking fit and well.
Victoria took a ball and as most Polars like to do, she threw it into the water.
The great advantage of the narrow enclosure is that it encourages the Polars to show how agile they are underwater.
A visitor was taking full advantage of Victoria’s show.
Anouk, Victoria’s daughter, had been playing at the far end of the pool. Seeing her mum playing by the glass she came to join in.
The cub is now just as able to scramble up the rocky shore as Victoria.
Anouk enjoys playing ball too
The viewing glass is carefully designed to allow visitors to really get close to the bears underwater.
Heads and tails!
Victoria was watching Anouk playing and ….
Victoria slips into the water.
Sometimes twigs get into the pool and Victoria had to shake this one off.
Victoria had her own ball and was keeping it for herself.
It is only possible to see the back of the pool through an underground window. But the bears can also withdraw into their den.
The den can be watched on a viewing screen.
Some nice signs in the underground den.
Although the Hamburg enclosure appears cramped compared with other zoos the main viewing window does work well. Victoria and Anouk spent a lot of time there before going up to the back of the enclosure where they have quite a lot of space to relax privately.
So Day 2 had been another great success. Monday to Thursday would see me in Aalborg but Molly Merrow is going to tell that story.
Dear Ralph,
What a fine trip you had, and to see the only polar bear cub born in Europe this year as well. Anouk is a great little girl, and it seems mum Victoria is still playful. It is always fun to hear about your polar bear travels, both in person and your stories in Knuti’s.
Molly
Hallo Ralph
Du bringst sehr interessante Bilder aus HH mit.
Victoria sieht super aus und Anouk ist mächtig
gewachsen. Sie spielen beide sehr schön. 🙂
Meine Mutter war gebürtige Hamburgerin und
hat ganz in der Nähe von Hagenbeck gewohnt.
Grüße aus Ffm
Hallo Ralph.
Dankeschön für den tollen Bericht und die schönen Fotos.
Ab 12.11. bin ich in UK und habe vor, die Eisbären in Peak und Doncaster anzuschauen.
Grüße Jens
Dear Ralph!
I agree with the previous writers: Viktoria and Anouk look great and seem to have come to terms with the cramped conditions. The little one has grown nicely and makes a lively and playful impression. Viktoria is doing a good job as a first-time mother!
Thanks for sharing!
Hugs
Anke
Dear Ralph,
The polar bear enclosure in Hamburg does not generally have a good rating, but the way you describe it, the bears are doing well. Anouk is a lovely young lady bear and still in peaceful company with her mother.
The bear den looks very cosy, unlike some barns where the bears are locked up at night….
Thank you for your beautifully illustrated report and best wishes!
Britta-Gudrun
Dear Ralph!
You took very good pictures of Victoria and Anouk. They both look beautiful.
Hugs
Ludmila
Victoria und Anouk geht es augenscheinlich sehr gut miteinander! Es ist schön, dass die Eisbärin nach langen Jahren des Wartens doch noch Nachwuchs bekommen hat und ihre Sache gut macht! Anouk ist ein munteres, selbständiges Eisbärchen…
Vielen Dank für die Grüße aus Hamburg und weiterhin eine gute Reise…..
Dear Ralph,
Your journey to Hamburg Zoo was obviously a very good one….you have lots of lovely photographs!
I can only imagine what it must be like to see the polar bears ‘up close and personal’ behind the glass.
Thank you and Mervi for sharing them.
Thank you very much dear Ralph.
Best wishes to Victoria and Anouk.