From Knut’s Grandma with Love
Jun 12th, 2009 | By mervi | Category: Featured articlesWe would like to dedicate this report especially to MERVI & TEDDYBÄRENMUTTI and to all Knuipians
In Hellabrunn/Munich we have 2 small enclosures for polarbears. Grand Dame Lisa who is Knut’s grandmother lives together with Yogi and in the second and even smaller enclosure lives Giovanna (Gianna) alone. It had been planned to keep Gianna who was born on the same day as Knut together with either Lisa or with Yogi. But it turned out that Gianna denied any contact with either of them, so Yogi is together with Lisa and Gianna lives alone. A proof that polarbears have their own will!
The polarbear’s enclosure is absolutely not acceptable especially regarding its size. It will be enlarged to a great extent, the building measures will last about a year and so the bears will have to move. As far as we have been informed, Lisa and Yogi will come to Berlin and where Gianna will stay during this time is unknown to us yet.
We arrived at the zoo after lunchtime and all three bears were sleeping, Yogi was hidden behind a big rock, we hardly could see him. The first to awake was Gianna. She is a very beautiful and strong girl. It took 5 Minutes and she really was awake. Immediately she started playing. We can say she is a power-woman with 100.000 Volt, Never before we have seen a young polarbear who is active as she is. These actions were ongoing the whole afternoon. Jumping, swimming, playing without any rest. Not only is she playing but also “treating” her toys. It was very nice to watch her not only because of her beauty but also because of her never ending actions.
It was time to go next door to see how the big bears were doing. We admit, that, when we saw Lisa we were a little bit shocked. Her fur was not in a very good condition and her age (around 30 years) was seen very distinct. Her movements were extremely slow, and we saw that she was shortbreathed when she was moving.
Her joints, especially the behind legs were very big (due to arthritis???). She walked very very slowly through her enclosure, standing still sunbathing, lying down again. Not much action could be seen (obviously due to her age).
Meanwhile Yogi (he is a young male) got up and moved as slowly as Lisa down the steps and was about half a meter far away from us and we had the chance to look into his eyes. He stayed there sitting on the steps for quite a while taking in smells. Then he slowly climbed up the big rock, where his meal was waiting for him, took a sunbath and then looked for Lisa who was lying behind the rocks nearly asleep.
We had the impression that his speed had been adopted to that of Grandma Lisa. The whole afternoon neither Yogi nor Lisa were bathing. The water in the pool did not look very inviting for taking a bath.
This afternoon in Munich’s polarworld offered a contrast program to us. The big enclosure with Lisa and Yogi, every movements slow motioned, next door this extremely active young girl Gianna showing the contrast program. We are very glad that the bears will get a bigger and hopefully nicer enclosure and hope that Grandma Lisa will manage that long journey to Berlin.
Hello my dear Grandson Knut. I am your grandmother Lisa. I am very proud of you because you are such a nice boy. Although you have not been raised by our own species your human Daddy Thomas has done a great job ! Knut you look very similar to my son Lars. I do wish you a very happy life. With love from your Granny Lisa
Dear MERVI & TEDDYBÄRENMUTTI will you do me a favour? Keep on looking after my Knut. As you know he more or less is alone and such a nice young man must have someone to keep an eye on him. As he is used to be in the hands of humans who else could do it better than you. Thank you so much.
It is me again, Grandmom Lisa. As you see I am quite old and sometimes it is not so easy for me to climb up the rockets. I am really looking forward to having a new surrounding soon. Meanwhile I hope to see a lot of Knut’s friends in Berlin.
Hello Knut. I am from Italy and my birthday is the same as yours. I have heard a lot from you. You are so famous. Do you like me
I am in good shape, good looking, intelligent and very sporty. I love playing
As you can see, I am very good working on wheels, because I am very strong
I am also a fan of blue cans, they are a wonderful toy
I have the full control over these things
May I introduce myself? I am the boss here, my name is Yogi and I am a little bit tired today. These girls are sometimes not so easy to handle. And Giovanna has her own mind (stubborn as a polarbear)
Here you see me on my throne. I am a nice fellow, don’t you think so?
Just to make it clear, Yogi only thinks he is the boss. The reality is different. I send you all many strong Bear Hugs, Dear Knutians! I am very happy, that you all are friends of my little Knutie.
BH from caren&bernd
Caren & Bernd! Thank you so much for this lovely report from Hellabrunn. I’m very touched you dedicated it to Teddybärenmutti and me – such a nice gesture.Vielen Dank!
Hugs from Mervi
Oh Caren and Bernd, what a fabulous report! I’m still in tears. It is so precious that Yogi matches his speed with Lisa. He is a sensitive, caring bear as well as being fine looking. About how old is he? So Gianna is very choosy in picking her friends! I wonder what she would think of Knut! They both like to play and the bear people at the Berlin Zoo have said that any mate for Knut would have to be strong and confident–from your description, she certainly would fit those characteristics!! But then, he has been hand raised and she has not, so……. Anyway, thank you very much for presenting Grandma Lisa, Yogi and Gianna.
Bear Hugs, Sarsam
Aw…I really hope that these beautiful bears get a decent , spacious enclosure very soon. Poor Lisa, she looks so sad and weary. I hope she can make it to Berlin. Her handlers must be very gentle with her. I am sure if she sees Knut, she will be proud of her grandson. My heart is with her. I trust that Munich has a vet taking care of her?
The other two are really stunning. Yogi and Giovanna are certain to get good offers if Munich intends to part with them. That Gio has an attitude doesn’t she? But who can blame the girl? When you look like her, you have to be selective and can’t afford to hang around with the neighbourhood riff raff ( Sorry Yogi ). She’s probably heard about Knut and is aiming high.
Liebe caren und berndt!
Ich danke herzlich. Sie haben so nett an Mervi und ich gedacht. Danke.
Arme Lady Lisa. Sie sieht sicher sehr alt aus. Ivh habe etwas Angst, wie kann sie die lange Reise in ihrem Altertum erhalten. Hoffentlich Yogi aktiviert sich etwas mehr. Unsere nette Italienerin ist sehr huebsch.
Hoffentlich bekommen die munchener Eisbärinnen moderne Gehegen.
Teddybärenmutti
PS: Warum ist Knuipe zu. Ist herr Ober. Frl. Flocke und Zar Raspi mit Mervi ja Vesa auf der Reise nach Orsa?
Liebe Caren, lieber Bernd,
vielen Dank für Euren anrührenden Zoobericht, wie hübsch Gianna ist, wirklich ein Signorina 100 000 Volt.
Auch Yogi ist ein sehr hübscher Bär und bei Mama Lisa, der Armen, sieht man doch noch, dass sie maql eine schöne Eisbärdame war. Ja das Alter holt uns alle irgendwann mal ein! Ich hab ein wenig Angst um sie, die Reise nach Berlin ist doch sehr weit, aber ich hoffe, es wird dafür gesorgt werden, dass sie es einigermaßen bequem hat!
Liebe Grüsse nach München
Heidi aus Erlangen
Dear Caren & Bernd, Thank you for the report and pictures. Lisa is a grand ole gal and loves her grandson! Gianna is a beautiful gal–born on the same day as our Knuti! Who are her parents, by the way? And Yogi is a handsome bear….very cute captions….xo k-j
Now we know where Knut got his ears…
Oma Lisa! I had no idea Knut had a grandma.
BH Leaf
Thank you Caren for the story and photos.
Gianna is not only beautiful but she has a beautiful name as well. How does Knut & Gianna sound?
Lovely.
Caren and Bernd, thank you for this lovely report about the polar family. I also hope Grandma Lisa will make a relatively comfortable journey to Berlin. As for Gianna, well, she’s certainly looking fit, almost like the Lara Croft of the polar world, in those photos. Look out Flocke (Fluffette.) !
Dear knuti-judi
Giovanna’s parents are Marissa & Felix
Yogi’s parents are Bimba & Romeo. I was very astonished to get to know that Yogi is already 10 years old.
Giovanna immediately hit Yogi when he came near her stable and poor Yogi went out of it backwards. It looked very funny. From what I saw last Friday, I found that Giovanna, our powergirl has neither room nor space for a male. Our Knuti needs a girl who is a bit softer. I will go to see her end of month to find out whether this power is always there or whether it was just a toppower-day.
BH, caren
Caren,
You are probably right – Knuti needs a gentler girl with a sweeter temperament who will allow him to shine in the limelight while she takes a backseat. That Gio is the kind of bear that will breathe up all the oxygen in the room and must be the focus of all attention. But let’s face it – she’s stunning and knows it ! She and Knut will clash so it might be best if they don’t date at all.
Caren
Danke für die Informationen bezüglich Gioanna. Hier ist Vorsicht angesagt. Von der anderen Seite, die Tiere haben auch Sympathien und Antipathien. Vielleicht war für Gioanna Yoghi einfach zu groß und zu gefährlich, deswegen hat sie gleich zugeschlagen. Ich kenne auch die Vorgeschichte von Loyd aus Bremerhaven und habe mir schon die Sorgen um Viktoria gemacht. Es sieht aber gut aus. Falls wirklich Gioanna zu Knut kommen sollte, wäre eine große Anlage notwendig. Warten wir ab.
I see, Celinne. You’re completely bought into the Knuti + Flocke fairytale.
I think they are the best match, although it might be also good for Knut to be pulled more to the wild side.
Let Knuti decide.
Alas Leaf,
The bearettes are all lovely but so far only Flocke seems to compatible with our Honey Knut. But it would be nice if he is given a choice from among three bearettes. I don’t mean that he should encouraged to become an ol’ reprobate like the scoundrel Lars with 3 wives! Just allow him the company of a few girls ( Flocke, Gio and another one) for a few weeks and see which one he chooses. What a drama and love story that could come from that scenario.