17.05.2009 – Photos and video: Orsa Grönklitt AB – Updated 18.00 CET with information about Wilbär’s first days in Orsa in English

The Polar World’s website is online now and from the 18th of May (after the inauguration) there will be news, photos and videos of Ewa and Wilbär.

You can already find photos and a video of Ewa who’s been waiting for Wilbär for some weeks now.

The Polar World in Orsa

Ewa is enjoying her new living room:

Wilbär’s first days in Orsa – translation into English by Patricia Roberts – Source: Wilhelma Zoo

After a long journey, Wilbär finally arrived at Orsa Bärenpark in Grönklit (Sweden) on Friday May 15, evening time. And not only he was a big boy because of the long trip, no no, also, the rather uncomfortable stay in the box made he stay cool . Upon his arrival, this box was parked next to his new enclosure to allow him to come out or to go in as he wishes. However, he started to look around, to smell al and everything, to explore his new “world” and of course to eat something (brought by one of his favourite Stuttgart keepers). As from Saturday, he will most probably let in another small outer enclosure to explore his new word (albeit not accessible for visitors). And curious as he is, he most certainly will love this. After all, unless the new impressions of his new life, there is one thing that he did NOT do, namely, calling for mammy!!!

May 16 - Wilbär has spent his first day in the inner-enclosure. But then after a while, it became tooooo boring. He wanted to see more of his Swedish world and therefore knocked a few time very hard on the door to let him out (just as how he was used to do in Stuttgart !!). His new care-takers (Annett and Susann) then let him in one of the three smaller out-enclosure (well, if one says it like this). Ewa discovered this too. – and knowing how contact-friendly she is, she came regularly and almost found him. Ewa arrived about a week ago and had the time to explore all things. Like enjoying her bath and slide-downs (or whatever this is called) in snow. Wilbär still needs to learn these things. And at the moment he is still a bit nervous and tired, of all new impressions, smells and sounds. And if ever, he is missing his Stuttgart swimming pool, it will not take so long before he can enjoy swimming in ‘freedom”. But so far, his new take-takers do whatever they can to make him feel comfortable and happy and busy. And thus, they gave him some good food right out of the hand (e.g., Annett), for example a salmon. And according to what I read in the article, Wilbär was not saying NO (actually, he did not have to share this time).