A happy, rainy day in Orsa (updated 19.6)
Jun 16th, 2009 | By mervi | Category: Lead articles17.6.2009
Hello friends! Since I’m a generous guy I dedicate this lead to my pal Wilbär and his girlfiend Ewa. Wilbär is even the cover boy of this month
14.6.2009 by Mervi and Vesa
We started our trip to Orsa in a rainy and stormy Malmö and unfortunately the rain never stopped during our visit. It was a long drive – about 8 hours on slippery roads. The closer Orsa we came the more convinced we were that this landscape is exactly as everybody’s picture of Sweden – forrests, rivers and lakes, untouched nature everywhere. There was not much traffic and it seemed to me that we were the only Swedes (well, actually we are Finns) on the road – the others were from Germany and Netherlands plus one car from France.
We arrived in Orsa in the afternoon so it was too late to go to Grönklitt. Well, we ate a good dinner and went to bed early hoping that we would wake up in a sunny Orsa. Our hope was in vain – it kept raining small, transparent polar bears!
Next morning was THE day! Pernilla Thalin – nowadays known as ‘Wilbär’s mom’ – came to meet us at the gate and we started our tour in the Bear Park. First we passed the wolves’ enclosure but didn’t see any animals there because the enclosure is really huge! Pernilla told us that they are waiting for a wolf from Berlin but not a white one so I guess the wolf comes from TierpaThen we came to the lynx’ enclosure and met a beutiful lynx called Einstein. He has a wife, too, but she preferred not to show today. After admiring Mr Einstein we continued rapidly to the polar bears’ enclosure.
There’s a wonderful exhibition hall with windows towards the enclosure so it’s a very good spot to observe Wilbär and Ewa. We didn’t mind staying indoors! Unfortunately Ewa wasn’t feeling well today due to diarhoea and that’s why she was staying in a smaller enclosure so the keepers could have an eye on her all the time and see if the medication was helping. It was quite clear that none of our bear friends liked this arrangement. Ewa was walking all the time – she reminded me of Knuti’s ‘hungermarsch’ and Wilbär stayed first on the other side of the enclosure looking for Ewa.
Maybe the sight of Pernilla made him finally come towards us. Oh, what a moment it was! This was the first time we saw Wilbär live! I almost burst into tears when I saw him coming closer and closer….He’s such a beautiful bear. I think he’s big for his age compared to Knuti at the same age but of course, Wilbär still is ‘een kleenet Kind’. Now I must tell you that his name is Wilbär - it hasn’t been changed. The readers of a newspaper wanted to call him Wille because it’s easier for a Swede to pronounce and write than Wilbär.
Wilbär came to meet us but was all the time casting glances towards the little enclosure where Ewa was staying. They seem to go very well together and enjoy each other’s company even though there are days when they hardly have anything to do with each other. Maybe it’s the knowledge that there’s is a friend around that makes them feel secure and comfortable.
Pernilla told us about Wilbär’s arrival to Orsa. It was, of course, a big event when famous polar bear came. She was very glad that staff from Wilhelma stayed in Orsa for four days to give her and the other keepers valuable information about Wilbär. When I saw Pernilla and Wilbär ‘talking’ to each other I was sure this had been love at first sight! I loved the way she called Wilbär ‘hjärtat’ or ‘sötnos’ - my sweetheart and my beautiful boy. Needless to say it all reminded me of another bear keeper in Berlin….
This photo is here just to give you the idea of why it was so difficult to take photos!
Wilbär was walking around a little but decided then to take a nap so we continued our tour to Ewa. By the way – some visitors have been worried about the stones. What if Wilbär start throwing stones and breaks a window???
Ewa is a very beautiful girl but today she wasn’t happy at all because she was ill and she obviously missed the company of Wilbär. I asked Pernilla if she was a dominant type and she said Ewa is very determined but not at all bossy. There’s never any competition about food for example.
Then Pernilla told us something I found very touching. On the left of this small enclosure there’s a ‘nursery’ ready for Ewa and her cub/s! It’s specially designed for a bear mama and her babies – with a webcam. There’s also already a room for the keepers where they are able to keep an eye on the nursery all the time – day and night. Isn’t that marvellous!! Of course – we can’t expect any cubs until earliest in 2011 – probably later but everything’s ready for them. I say already: Welcome to the Polar World, little friends!
After meeting Ewa outside we were allowed to follow Pernilla to the ‘polar bear room’ or rather rooms because there are four rooms where the bears have their meals and also have their click training. The visitors can see this all through a window but we were standing inside. When Ewa came in I could have touched her through the bars! Well, since I want to keep my fingers I didn’t !! Wow, I felt so ‘VIPPY’! I’ve never been so close to a polar bear and I guess I never will again. Thank you, Pernilla, for this wonderful moment! – I hope I can put together a little video to show you how it was.
I must tell you that the cinnamon buns aren’t the usual ‘diet’ for Wilbär. It was due to special circumstances that he got them and on that day a journalist happened to be there….
Now it was time for Pernilla to work so we said ‘hej då’ but we should meet again later. We decided to go to the Värdshus for coffee and to write some post cards.
On our way we passed the children’s park and look what the polar ship is called!!
After our ‘drying session’ we went to visit the Bear Park. These bears live in a forrest – yes, I mean it, a forrest! I tried to count how many bears and cubs I saw but lost the count. Here are brown bears and Kamtjatka bears. There are also plans to get some Kodiak bears here but so far nothing’s settled. The Orsa Bear Park is though number one on the list if some Kodiak bears are moving…
Oh, I almost forgot….when we were walking towards the Bear Park we suddenly saw a beautiful red fox sitting on the stairs of the old souvenir shop! I first thought it was a decoration but then I saw he was moving. Before I had time to pick up my camera he/she disappeared under the cottage. I guess this fox has a private metro between his enclosure and the shop!
The funny thing in this part of Sweden is that there’s a good (?) chance to meet bears even outside the park. Pernilla told us that just the day before a bear mama with three cubs had been seen crossing the road between Orsa and Grönklitt! I told her that whenever I’m collecting berries or mushrooms in a Finnish forrest I’m always trying to make as much noice as possible to ‘warn’ the bears. Pernilla laughed and said she’s always trying to keep very quiet and hoping to see a bear! These words came from the mouth of a girl born in Stockholm!!
If there wasn’t that hence in the background you would think these bears are living in the wilderness.
Next to the bears there’s the enclosure of the Sibirian tigers. What majestetic animals they are! There’s a ‘visitors’ bridge’ where you can have a good look at these beauties but we had already climbed enough. Grönklitt is situated on a mountain so there’s quite a lot of climbing. If you come here, don’t forget to put on your most comfortable shoes – I think hiking boots would be most suitable.
The wiew from the bears’ visitors’ spot is magnificent! The lake Siljan, the forrests and the mountains are breathtakingly beautiful – even seen in a pouring rain!
As I already wrote Grönklitt is a mountain and it’s also a famous ski resort. The skiers are a bit sour now that the keepers in the Polar World have a more efficient snow gun than the ‘keepers’ of the slalom hills!
Pernilla’s dream is to build a snow mountain (in the autumn when there are minus grades) that makes it possible for Ewa and Wilbär to slide to the water. The other end of the lake won’t freeze because of heavy streams so there will be open water even during the winter. Oh boy, I can hardly wait to see the photos and videos…..
When we came back to the Polar World Wilbär was still napping but when I called ‘Wilbär schatzele’ he raised his head! I’m sure he understood what I said. Thank you, Velvet, for the lessons in Schwäbisch! Shortly after Pernilla came with a bucket of apples and then our Wilbär definitely woke up!
Due to the bad weather there were not so many visitors but many Germans and Dutsch had found their way here anyway. Wilbär came to say hello to us all and it looked like he was very glad to see us there. Since I was wearing my Knuti cap, Vesa had his Knutitours cap and I was carrying my things in a bad with Berlin written on it many Germans started to talk with us. They were mighty surprised when we told that the Berlin Zoo is almost the ‘home zoo’ for us!
Thank you for the apples! I could do with some more…..
No more apples, no Ewa….. What shall I do next? I won’t go swimming today. I don’t think I need a bath since I’ve been having a shower all day….
Hello Pernilla! Might one suggest you bring more apples next time????
Seeing these two together made me sure that this has been love at first sight. I loved the way Pernilla called Wilbär ‘hjärtat’ or ‘sötnos’ (my sweetheart, my beautiful boy). It all reminded me of a certain bear keeper in Berlin…
When I said to Pernilla ‘You’ve really got the best job in the world’ she couldn’t but agree!
I do love my garden! You know, folks, I’m growing blueberries and raspberries here. Of course, there are just flowers at the moment but soon I’ll be eating lots of vitamines….I really don’t know how the berries will taste but I’m sure they are yammy!
Now Wilbär thought it was time to make his bed. You should have seen him carefully removing a stone from his bed! Who said polar bears aren’t intelligent?? Shame on you!
And now ladies and gentlemen – I have some great news! Very soon there will be fish in our lake – salmon trouts – so Ewa and I can go fishing! Mind you – we have all the necessary permissions!!
Now it was time to say goodbye to Wilbär and Pernilla. I’m happy to tell you that Wilbär is doing just fine in his new home and he really has a most loving and caring keeper!
It’s a long way to Orsa but I can highly recommed a trip there. You can see such a beautiful, untouched nature and of course, a visit in the Bear Park and the Polar World is something unforgettable! The park is open everyday summer and winter. Why not combine skiing and polar bears?
There are excellent camping places near the Polar World – in Orsa (16 km from Grönklitt) and in Mora (about 32 km from Grönklitt). You can also hire a cottage in Grönklitt but you’d better make your reservation in good time because the cottages are very popular. Of course, there are hotels as well. The fastest way to come to Orsa is, of course, flying. There’s an airport in Mora and there are direct flights from Stockholm. You’ll find more information about travelling and accommodation here.
In the Polar World you have always a chance to have a chat with the keepers and ask questions. Pernilla said that, of course, the keepers are there for the animals but also for the visitors. There are guided tours (in Swedish, English and German) every day. At half past one there’s an information session every day – if the weather is fine it’s kept outside the polar bears’ enclosure and with bad weather inside in the exhibition hall. For those with bad legs there’s a possibility to make a tour with Björn (what a proper name – Björn is bear in Swedish!) in a little ‘train’ which also can take wheel chairs.
It was such a wonderful day in spite of all raining! Too bad we couldn’t stay longer this time.
Pernilla, thank you so much for your time! You made our visit to something very special! Thank you Ewa and Wilbär – we love you!
We couldn’t shoot any first class video but we tried to put together something for you. I know most of you don’t speak Swedish but …..
Kära hälsningar från Mervi och Vesa/Greetings from Mervi and Vesa
Here’s a video made by Swedish Television
Pernilla – the Chief of the Bear Park
Related posts:
- Building Embassies 5.11.2009 - Photos by Orsa Grönklitt and Doris Webb, Collage...
- Ewa’s first attempt to have polar bear cubs? 23.2.2011 - Source: Press release from Orsa Polar World, Photos...
- Wilbär is a big boy now 10.12.2009 - Photos by Caren, Anders Björklund, Pernilla Thalin Knuti's...
- Happy New Year – without veggies! 31.12.2009 by Knuti (with a little help from Mervi), Video...
- Fun with icebombs / Spass mit Eisbomben – Orsa report 2 09.7.2011 by Mervi and Vesa, Deutsche Übersetzung by Bärgit Since...
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Dearest Mervi, I can’t tell you how much I loved and appreciated your report. It must have been a fantastic time even if it rained all day long.
It is great to hear that the two bears have found such a great enclosure and that they are friends from the beginning. Hopefully Ewa will feel better soon so that they can stay together again.
Pernilla really seems to love \her\ bears.
Thank you once again for you photos and your long and interesting report. I’m looking forward to watch the videos.
Greetings from Gita
Dearest Mervi, what a stunning beautiful report! I have only scanned pictures, will read everything later with a cup of hot chocolate. I will write more later. BH
Hallo Mervi,
ganz lieben Dank für diesen wunderbaren Bericht. Wie schön, dass Pernilla Zeit für euch hatte und euch so viel erzählen konnte. Ich bin sehr beeindruckt, dass der Mutter – Kind Bereich für Eisbären schon jetzt so gut und modern eingerichtet ist. Mal schauen, ob es irgendwann kleine Eisbären in Orsa gibt
.
Vielen Dank, dass Du uns so ausführlich von diesem fantastischen Tag berichtet hast! ich freue mich schon jetzt auf die Videos.
viele Grüße an dich und Vesa
GiselaH
Hello Mervi,
thank you so much for your wonderful report from orsa-park.
It was so much fun to read ist and it sounds so good.
Not only Wilbär is a “hjärtat’ or ’sötnos’ also Pernilla and Mervi.
BH
Manuela
Mervi and Vesa,
I felt as if I had personally taken the trip thanks to your explicit report and great photos. Wilbar is obviously in good health and spirits and he seems to be content. I am so happy he has such a devoted keeper and his name is still Wilbar. He’s a chubby little rascal isn’t he? I hope Ewa gets well soon so they can play together again. I am sure Grönklitt will set a good precedent for other parks to follow in the years to come and I laud the efforts of the Swedes. We need many more such reservations and parks all around the world. Good to see the polar ship named after Knut! Just goes to show the international reach of our Honey. Thanks so much Mervi and Versa. You have made my day. I love this!!!
hallo mervi hallo vesa
DANKE!!!
Hej Mervi,
I have waited for your report of Wlbär so and am now a little reassured . Wilbär it seems Wilbär seems relatively to go relatively well. But he is still a „kleenet Kind“!
That Ewa is sick, I am very sorry, I hope their little belly feels better again
Thank you for your detailed report.
Thank you
Anyess
Hi Mervi,
What a wonderful account of your visit to Orsa! I enjoyed your pics + the report very much.
Glad to see that *Wilbaer* has settled in so well.
Thank you so much for your lovely insight!
Bearhugs from Canada
Gaby
Hi Mervi,
You have made my day by such a reassuring report of Wilbar and Ewa! It is good to hear that he is doing well and that he has a great environment in which to grow up. It was also reassuring that Pernilla met you and gave you the honor of an \insider\ tour. You are right, she does remind one of a certain Berlin bear keeper and I am sure she has, and will continue to help Wilbar (and Ewa) on the transition from zoo to park. It will be a long wait till there are little polar bears at Orsa–but it will be worth it–I can just see them playing on the snow hill, sliding down into the water with a watchful Ewa right with them…
Bear hugs, Sarsam
Dear Mervi,
thank you so much for your extensive report. It is so good to hear that Wilbär and Ewa are getting along so well. I sincerely hope that Ewa will feel better soon.
Thank you again
Doris
Very nice report! I also felt as if was to your side. The pictures, even with the rain they are great and I am happy that Wilbar and Ewa are well and that live in such a beautiful and big place. I hope Ewa is well quickly and come back to the side from Willbar, they form a beautiful couple.
Thank you MERVI and VESA, you are also a special couple.
Oh, Mervi! What a splendid report and the pictures were a wonderful bonus! How exciting to get a guided tour by Pernilla! I am so glad she loves her bears and is taking such good care of them. You could have reached out and touched Wilbaer? Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to touch the fur and find out how it really feels! What a wonderful trip you and Vesa had…worth the hours of travel….Thanks so much for bringing us with you! xo k-j
Mervi and Vesa, thank you for such a lovely report. How close you were to the bears, what an experience! The photos were wonderful, I felt I was by the fence myself. How amazing to see a polar bear so close up. The countryside is truly beautiful. The Bear Park looks special with plenty of space, the sort of thing we like to see if animals can’t be in their natural habitat. And I loved the polar ship in the children’s park! Thank you for sharing this with us!
Mervi, Mervi, Mervi!!!
It was such a pleasure to read this detailed loaded with information report. It is reassuring in so many ways.
It is so good to know Pernilla loves her new “beautiful boy”. And Wilbear also seems to have taken to his new human caretaker. He seems drawn to a company and doesn’t like being alone much, I guess he’s been used to constant presence of his polar mom.
This Polar World is magnificent, such a little paradise for so many unique wild animals.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Mervi! This report is a sure favorite- and a keeper to be read not once, not twice but many times.
BH Leaf
Dear Mervi,
thank you very much for your wonderful Report from Orsa
Greetings from Bearlin
Hartmuth
Mervi, this was simply wonderful. It actually made me cry. i’m not sure why…perhaps I just needed a good cry. Thanks for such a fantastic report. BH
Betsy
Dear Mervi
thank you so much for this lovely report! I’m just happy, happy, happy!
And I’m sure Ewa will be okay in no time – these things happen when animals have to adjust to a new environment.
The “schatzele-part” of your report made me cry with joy… And also that Wilbär is called ‘hjärtat’ – what else could I wish for our “bärle”? *smile* Some “bärles” in due time maybe.
Cathugs Velvet
Dear Mervi,
I’m nearly in tears now! What a wonderful report, and your photos are wonderful too, the rain couldn’t make them worse. Did you blow kisses to Wilbär???? I laughed when I read that you called him \Schatzele\ – hahaha! Surely he understood!
Well, everything really sounds very good – except Ewa’s illness, but I hope she’s already better now. I think I have to plan a trip to Orsa …
))
Thank you again and Hugs,
Danielle
My dear Mervi,
thank you so much for that marvellous report about Orsa! And your photos show such a beautiful happy bear in a wonderful landscape! Thanks again
heidi from erlangen
Liebe Mervi,
was für ein schöner und anschaulicher Bericht. Gott ist man froh, daß es Wilbär gut geht und er und Ewa sich verstehen. Mir gefallen Deine Bilder sehr gut und ich freue mich, daß Du und Dein Mann – trotz Dauerregen – einen sooo schönen Tag in Orsa hattet. Was für wunderbare Gehege!! Und so eine tolle Pflegerin!!
Special Bear Hugs to You
Josefine
Hallo Mervi,
I’m happy that you had a beautiful day in Orsa although the weather wasn’t so good. I’ll hope it will be better, when we are in Orsa in a week. It’s fine to read that Wilbär and Ewa are getting along so well. Thank you so much for your interesting report.
Ulli
@ Mervi, haha!
This Morning I haven’t got much time, but I was so curious to read your report that I spent the little time I had by reading it. (Bay the way: Reading and unterstanding in English takes a lot longer for me than in German. )
As I already said in my comment, it is wonderful written and it made me happy to read, that sweet little Wilbär is fine! Now I see that there is a translation. What do I learn from this? Don’t be so curious and unpatient, wait and see and life will be much easier …
Thank you anyway for improving my English!!
O-M-G, Mervi & Vesa — You did it!
In spite of non-cooperating weather elements, you returned with a most beautiful report to share. I only breezed through it quickly, but will re-read, re-read, and have a look at the video. The beauty of Grönklitt is breath-taking, a wonderful playground for its new inhabitants, so many animals, both fenced and roaming freely
, so touched was I to read that a nursery has already been prepared for their cubs! Many many Thanks to you for braving the elements, and bringing to us all the intimate details that Pernilla had to share about her new charges. It does sound as if she has a rewarding ‘keeper’ position reminiscent of Thomas. I am happy to see that Knut is also a part of the scenery. Perhaps, one day, he will make a transition there.
Excellent! Well Done! Bear Hugs, Tish
Hello friends! I must say I’m overwhelmed by yuor kind, encouriging comment about our report. Thank you all!
I have also good news for you. Yesterday I received a mail from Orsa telling that Ewa is now feeling OK and is again playing with Wilbär in the great encosure. Wonderful, isn’t it!!
Bear hugs to you all from Mervi and Vesa
Mervi, I just watched the video- it’s very nice. Wow, Wilbar is already so big- you can tell in the video compared to the human size. And I am so jealous you were so close to him, almost could touch him if you weren’t concerned about your fingers..
It was lovely to hear your voice even though I didn’t understand a word.
Bear hugs! Leaf
MERVI AND VESA the video are so great! You are so close.. I loved! Thank you! Thank you! Pernilla seems so young and kind, she is a good mother for the couple.
Mervi: Thank you very much for the wonderful report and the good news that Ewa is well again and Wilbär is not alone anymore.
Greetings to you, Vesa and Miffe!