Berlin Zoo Polar Bears Receive Artificial Ice Floe In Their Pond
The video shows two polar bears from a zoo in Germany which have enthusiastically welcomed an artificial ice floe that was recently set in their enclosure by zoo keepers.
Polar bears Hertha and Tonja from the Tierpark Berlin Zoo in Germany’s capital Berlin were joyfully jumping around and enjoying their new object of interest – the artificial ice floe that the zoo officials ordered for their pond.
The Tierpark Berlin Zoo posted the video of the two bears happily playing around the floe on Friday on 30th July 2021.
Additionally, the zoo was happy to announce that “Hertha and Tonja carefully examined their new ice chunk from all sides.”
Despite approaching the large floe cautiously at first, the two bears instantly regained courage and explored the potential of their new favourite toy.
The zoo reported: “Whether they use it [the ice floe] as a ball shelf, or an aid to carry out a perfect jump into the cool water, or as an underwater hiding spot – our polar bears have a lot of fun playing in the water.”
The video received many positive critics from Facebook users who supported the idea of bringing the two bears closer to their natural surroundings.
Petra Walter said: “Very nice, and the girls have fun. Tonja’s head jump was perfect. Many thanks to the whole team and the many animal lovers and donors.”
Lucia Plessow added: “Great video, I love the two girls.”
User Katja Schicho was happy to have seen such positive video and said: “The two are so cute to look at! I look forward to a new video every time! Thanks for this!”
Claudia Luu was happy that invested her money for a good cause and commented: “Super cool, I really enjoyed donating for it. I’ll come by soon to take pictures.”
The zoo expressed their gratitude and thanked all donors who made the construction of the ice floe possible.
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) whose native range lies largely within the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses is the largest extant bear species, as well as the largest extant land carnivore.
Despite an increase in the global population of polar bears from 22,000 to 31,000 in 2015, the species is listed as “Vulnerable” International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
According to various online sources, experts are predicting an extinction by 2,100 individuals if appropriate measures are not taken into consideration soon, because of habitat loss, malnutrition or starvation caused by climate change.