25.1.2024 – Photos and story by Molly Merrow
Qannik’s rescue story is well known, how as a tiny cub she was separated from her mother and sister in an Alaskan blizzard on the North Slope, and rescued, taken to the Alaska Zoo to recover, then to the Louisville Zoo. That was 13 years ago, and the zoo has celebrated her birthday in a grand fashion every year since.
Since Qannik is wildborn, we don’t know her exact birthday, but the Department of Fish and Wildlife has designated January 10 as her official birthday. Weather has put the birthday celebration on hold until this past weekend, January 20.
This year, to mark her entrance into her teen years, the zoo presented a Taylor Swift themed party, complete with catchy song titles and free posters featuring photos of Qannik and tips for conservation cleverly using Taylor Swift song titles.
Qannik also apparently invited a special guest, the Night Heron who has been frequenting her home and the neighboring seal habitat for the past year. The keepers say the Heron is somewhat annoying, as he (or she) steals the food, but Qannik doesn’t seem to mind, and even welcomes the company.
Night Herons are native to Kentucky, but usually do their hunting at night, and sit by the waters edge just chilling out during the day. It is unusual for a Night Heron to adopt a zoo habitat as its home, but that is a good place to pick up fishy snacks, so it makes sense for this smart bird.
The “stage” was set with a special conservation ERAS poster held in place with delicious peanut butter and the debut announcement of Qannik’s RED album (pretend). Party food included her favorite pumpkin chunks and frozen ice treats.
Some guests from Cincinnati wore their polar bear hats, which was appropriate since the day was sunny but cold, with a windchill below zero. Kyle, the zoo’s marketing director, wore all pink as she lead the group in singing Happy Birthday to Qannik.
This year promises to be an ERA of big changes for Qannik, as Fish and Wildlife has lifted the ban on breeding of rescued polar bears in US zoos, so she may be getting a boyfriend soon. Maybe he will even like to play football.
Molly Merrow
Alles Liebe zum Gehurtstag,liebe Qannik! 💓😘
Liebe Grüße von Brigitte.
Dear Molly!
What a great birthday party for Quannik! It’s amazing to see how well the heron and the polar bear are getting along.
I’m so glad the orphaned cubbie has crown to a beautiful polar bear lady and is living in a good home.
Thank you so much for this charming article!
Hugs from Mervi
Thank you very much for having brought back to my mind dearest QANNIK whom I loved so much during her time in Alaska and even long after but then lost her a bit out of sight and mind (blush).
That’s a very dear contribution, indeed.
Louisville Zoo keepers and keepresses as well as visitors seem having been good to her since which makes me really happy to get to know. Greetings to the closest friends of her and to herself as much and as well when ever you may have the chance for a contact of whatsoever kind 🙂
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btw: I’ve never seen a ‘night heron’ before. Thanks for introducing her/him to me/us!
Thank you Molly,
I loved reading your report on Qannik’s party in Louisville Zoo.
Thanks also go to the keepers for their part and to the Night Heron for turning up.
Hopefully Qannik will have a boyfriend in the near future.
Dear Molly!
Thank you for letting us be part of Qannik’s birthday party! It’s great to see that the rescued adorable polar bear cub has grown into a beautiful young polar bear lady who is loved and spoilt. If this teen had picked Taylor Swift herself for the theme party, I wouldn’t be surprised…. For example, I really liked the song “Carolina” from the film “Where The Crawdads Sing”.
It’s always amazing that polar bears appear to have an affinity with birds and vice versa. The heron seems to have invited himself to the party as a matter of course.
I wish Qannik for her future life health, happiness and possibly a friendly and handsome partner.
Hugs
Anke
Dear Molly!
Thank you for the report about Qannik’s birthday. We saw her as a little girl in the zoo Louisville. Now she is a nice young woman.
Hugs
Ludmila
Liebe Molly,
die Rettung von Quanik vor 13 Jahren war ein kleines Wunder, an das ich mich noch gut erinnere, auch dank deiner Berichte über sie.
Nun hatte die hübsche Dame wieder eine ihrer legendären Geburtstagsparties, die keine Wünsche offen gelassen hat.
Einen neuen Freund wünsche ich ihr von ganzem Herzen!
Thank you very much dear Molly.
Happy birthday dear Qannik. We love you.
Das ist ja eine Eisbären-Geschichte der ganz besonderen Art, berührend und erfreulich zugleich ❣🐻❄️👍 Und so wünsche ich Qannik alles GUTE für das neue LEBENSJAHR!!!💝