21.12.2023 – Photos and story by Molly Merrow
The Aalborg Zoo polar bear home, with its large picture windows and fine underwater viewing, lends itself very well to meeting and interacting with bears, who are often curious about the visitors too. Sometimes there are dogs who come by, and the the bears love these furry visitors, sometimes jumping right at them for the scary effect. Oh yes, the bears know how to have fun.
I remember having long heart to heart conversations with Augo in 2011, who seemed to covet my purse. How I miss her! Augo was Malik’s first cub.
But some bears seem to have a real bond with our Man from Oxford, Ralph. In 2019, he charmed Malik’s twins Nuka and Qilak with his shopping bag. These two girls have since moved to Pairi Daiza in Belgium, where they have a lovely home.
In September of 2023, Ralph came to visit again, and soon struck up a friendship with one of the cubs I shall call Inuk, although we are not sure which cub has which name. This is the cub who likes to stay close to her mother, and is more reluctant to go into the water than her sister, whom we shall call Imaq.
Inuk liked Ralph’s travel bag, and tried to munch on his hat through the glass. But mostly, Ralph and Inuk just sat and had a nice chat. Inuk showed her friendship with her many expressions, often involving teeth.
She is quite the flirt.
Sometimes both cubs got involved in this friendship, as they would come over to Ralph, again and again.
Over the several days that Ralph was there with the Aalborg bears, Inuk quite often gave Ralph her full attention.
Sometimes they chatted under the watchful eye of Mother Malik.
We also had the great privilege to feed the bears behind the scenes, as part of the polar bear gathering. Aalborg Zoo was showing its appreciation of the polar bear fan group that has given their support to the bears for years. Anyone who came to the zoo that day could be part of the fun, and Ralph enjoyed giving celery to Imaq and Inuk.
Aalborg Zoo is indeed a special place for polar bear fans. Ralph, like many of us, longs to come back for another visit in 2024.
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