Two polar bears from the Warsaw Zoo, brothers Gregor and Aleut, will soon set off on a journey from Warsaw's Prague to their new home in Prague, Czech Republic. You can visit them before leaving only for the next few days.
“We have the last few days ahead of us to visit Gregor and Aleut, the only polar bears in Poland. Next week, our celebrities are going on a journey from Warsaw's Prague to their new home in Prague, Czech Republic. We guess this news may sadden lovers of the polar brothers, It's not easy for us either,” the Warsaw Zoo announced on social media.
It noted that the decision to move them was made together with the species coordinator as part of the activities of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums – EAZA, of which the Warsaw Zoo is a member.
An intimate farewell and congratulations
“The species coordinator decides where the animals will find the best new home, because he has full knowledge of all the individuals in the world's zoos. Ideas for matching our bachelors are also important,” the zoo added.
Next Monday at 10 the zoo is organizing an intimate farewell for Gregor and Aleut. This will be an opportunity to meet the director of the Warsaw Zoo, Dr. Andrzej G. Kruszewicz, as well as with the bears' guardians – Kasia and Maciek, who have been taking care of the bears for the last 11 years.
From May 11 to 13, you can also bring a card for Gregor and Aleut and photos of the teddy bears and leave them in a wicker basket at the entrance to the zoo from ul. Ratuszowa.
“The drawings, cards and wishes will go with the teddy bears to their new home, and their photos will be given to their guardians – Kasia and Maciek,” the zoo said.
Grześ and Ali can be visited until the end of the day on Monday, May 13. Then the bears will prepare for their journey.
They came to Warsaw as three-year-olds
Aleut and Gregor are polar bears born on December 2, 2010 in Nuremberg. April 17, 2013 at 15.15 Gregor and Aleut crossed the gate of the capital zoo as youngsters of almost three years old. They traveled from the Netherlands to Warsaw by car, and the cost of this undertaking was EUR 1,800.
The polar bear is considered one of the largest land predators in the world. Most adult males weigh from 300 to 700 kg and reach a length of up to 3 m. The female is usually twice as small and weighs about 150-300 kg, and her body length is around 2 m. The largest polar bear was captured in 1960. in Alaska, a male weighing 1002 kg.
The polar bear is also called a white bear because of the color of its fur. The white color is an excellent camouflage because most of the year the area where it lives is covered with a thick layer of snow. However, in fact, a polar bear's fur is not white at all, but transparent. It is made up of thousands of hairs that are filled with air. The light reflects off the fur and gives the impression that it is white.
A polar bear's skin is black, so it absorbs the sun's rays, which heat its body. With age, the hair coat turns yellow. The fur of a bear kept in captivity usually turns green in much warmer and more humid conditions than natural ones. The greenish color comes from the fact that the animal's empty hair tubes are an ideal place for algae to grow.
The polar bear is well adapted to living in low temperatures. Waterproof, thick, dense fur and a huge 10-centimeter layer of subcutaneous fat protect it against hypothermia. The short tail and small ears also reduce heat loss.
Formerly a sea bear
The polar bear is an excellent swimmer, as evidenced by the streamlined shape of its body, wide paws and fingers partially connected by a web. It dives with its eyes open and nostrils closed. It can stay under the water surface for up to 2 minutes and swim at a speed of 10 km/h. Moreover, its former common name is sea bear, which is a translation of its Latin name Ursus maritimus. Some researchers classify it as a marine mammal, alongside species such as seals and dolphins.
The polar bear is a typical carnivore. The diet of bears in the zoo also consists mostly of meat, mainly beef and fish, although it also includes vegetables and fruits, honey, nuts and branches. They drink 200 ml of cod liver oil every day, but their greatest delicacy is mayonnaise.
In nature, a polar bear, in order to cope with harsh climatic conditions and stay alive, eats significant amounts of fat, which is associated with the intake of large amounts of vitamin A. Its excess is dangerous to health, which is why the bear stores its surplus in the liver. There have been cases of poisoning with this vitamin among people eating bear liver.
The Capital Garden noted that Gregor and Aleut are friendly bears who spend their time sleeping, eating and playing.
Main photo source: Warsaw Zoo