13.12.2019 by Ralph Morton

Mervi: The 13th of December happens to be Ralph’s birthday so I’m sure even the polar bears in Gelsenkirchen will join me when I start singing ‘Happy birthday to you’!

Lara had a favourite spot where she had dug out the sand to make a day bed. It also allowed her to watch the visitors.

Both Lara and her mother, Olinka, are very elegant Polar Bears.

Lara at the glass showing the distinctive markings on her nose and head.

Lara watching Nanook checking the doors to the enclosure for food.

Lara likes to rest a lot. I think she and Nanook had been playing together before the park opened as they were both wet.

Safely curled up in her day bed. Still watching us at the glass.

Covering her nose with her paw. Perhaps this is how people got the idea Polars hide their black noses when hunting.

Polars never sleep for long, the arrival of a dog soon had Lara awake and alert.

A bit later and the visitors wondered whether Lara did anything much. As you know a resting Polar Bear is just as interesting to us.

It is hard to tell who is who in this picture taken in the early afternoon. Nanook is the one asleep.

Both asleep and even harder to tell apart. Nanook is still on the right. Teenagers can really sleep!

Nanook starts to wake up. The bears are never still for long.

Nanook and Lara are nowadays more like sisters than mother and daughter. Nanook has grown up fast and is very serious like her Mum.

Nanook knows when Lara is willing to feed her and gets ready.

Refueling a Polar Bear cub takes some time. Lara is very strict but when she feeds Nanook, both seem to really enjoy themselves.

Nearly there…

Up and about at last.

Nanook still has a lot of growing to do