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Summary of Transcript:
The transcript is about two polar bears, Kaluke and Kiska, born in November 1996 at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. They are brothers and have been together their whole lives. Due to their growing size, the bears were moved to a new home at the Albuquerque BioPark in New Mexico in 1997. The new home had an air-conditioned ice cave, water slide, pool, polar bear playground, and four waterfalls. The bears have been in the care of Albuquerque BioPark for over 25 years, receiving regular veterinary checkups and participating in their health care. Kaluke was diagnosed with heart disease in 2019, and recently, he has not been acting like his usual playful self. Animal care staff has been doing everything they can to keep him comfortable, and they are deciding daily if he is well enough to be out in his public habitat with his brother, Kiska.
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Summary of Description:
The Polar Bear Brother had a whole life at the ABQ BioPark, where he was born in 2010 and spent his entire life. He was one of three cubs born to parents, Koluk and Kiska. The brother had a close bond with his siblings, but as they grew older, they were separated and found new homes in other zoos. The brother became known for his playful personality and love for swimming and soon became a popular attraction at BioPark. In 2018 he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment, but unfortunately, he passed away in 2019. Despite his short life, the Polar Bear Brother left a lasting impact on the staff and visitors of BioPark.
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The Polar Bear Brother’s Full Life at the ABQ BioPark
The ABQ BioPark in Albuquerque, New Mexico, provides a natural habitat for many different animal species. Among them, the zoo’s polar bears, brothers, and inhabitants since birth provide a fascinating spectacle for visitors to watch and learn about.
Introduction
The Polar Bear Brothers, siblings from the Arctic, have lived in the ABQ BioPark since 2014. The brothers, Kiska and Koluk, born in captivity at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, in 2013, were transferred to Albuquerque to start their new life. The ABQ BioPark gives a perfect atmosphere for them to feel right at home, with spacious ice-filled pools and sizeable natural rock enclosures to play in. Here is a closer look at the life of these magnificent creatures at the zoo.
Habitat
The habitat for the brothers replaced a previous polar bear habitat at the zoo. The habitat was renovated and expanded and now provides a zone that allows visitors to observe the Polar Bear Brother’s daily life. The habitat’s major components include a pool with 78,000 gallons of chilled water, a rotatable rock structure, and a viewing gallery, enabling people to observe the bears from different angles.
Activities
Like any other polar bear, the brothers love to play and swim. They enjoy being in the water, and their habitat provides them with lovely surroundings to engage in water activities all year round. Their habitat hosts rocks, which they climb and use as vantage points to observe the surrounding area. They also have access to various enrichment devices that involve frozen balls, frozen fish, and other playful items meant to engage their minds and stimulate their predatory instincts.
Care and Feeding
The team at the ABQ BioPark takes excellent care of the Polar Bear Brothers. The team ensures that the brothers get routine checkups, vaccinations, and medical care whenever required to remain healthy. They are given a balanced diet that helps them stay healthy and active. In captivity, polar bears have to be kept at a healthy weight, and a diet is adjusted accordingly. Polar bears are known to eat both meat and plants, and the zoo ensures that their food meets that requirement.
Educational Value
The Polar Bear Brothers are not just a source of entertainment but also play an essential role in education. They provide visitors with a fun and interactive learning method about polar bears and their habitat. Visitors learn from scientists and animal care professionals how climate change and other human activities impact polar bears’ existence in the Arctic. The bears provide a unique opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal with the species and learn how to respect their habitat and the importance of conservation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ABQ BioPark provides an ideal natural habitat for the Polar Bear Brothers. These magnificent animals provide entertainment and have a valuable role in education. Visitors can learn about their behavior in their natural environment and the threats that affect polar bear populations. They are beautiful animals that deserve respect and proper care, and the ABQ BioPark gives them just that.
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Source Description
The Polar Bear Brother’s Full Life at the ABQ BioPark.
