My visit to Philadelphia and Baltimore zoos
Sep 27th, 2010 | By mervi | Category: Featured articles27.9.2010 – by Knuti-Judi
Juan and I said goodbye to Al and Rose and off we went on our zoo adventure….We went to visit Philadelphia Zoo and The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore….We couldn’t have had two more perfect days for our zoo visits….sunny and bright blue sky….mild temperatures….
Philadelphia Zoo in Pennsylvania is the first zoo in America! It is the home of Coldilocks and Klondike. Two female polar bears who are 30 years old. They have both been at the zoo since they were one-year-old.
No males have been brought into the zoo because the enclosure is not “male-proof” as a staffer informed us. A male bear could not be contained safely in the enclosure–he’d likely escape, she said.
The bears spent the afternoon with Wendy and I. We chatted; they napped…..One was close to us on the grass….she napped and napped…….
The other was on the other side of the enclosure….and she was in the water for a bit….you see the bears have enrichment toys! Hallo!
So no babies….but there is a lego bear! Look at that! Put together with 90,000 some odd lego blocks…..hollow inside…….the staffer said that the artist rebuilt the face a couple of times to get it right… I think he did a good job!
Well, afterward, we had to go to “South St.” in Philly….made famous by the old song….remember? “Meet me on South St…. come on…hurry on down…..” There we went to Jim’s Steaks to enjoy famous Philly Cheesesteak sandwichs…..yummy….
The next day we were in Baltimore, Maryland and headed to their zoo….
There are three polar bears here….and a Tundra buggy!
The male is Magnet….he’s a big boy! The female that was out that day is Alaska! She’s a friend of Willy’s! She was rescued from the circus and brought to the zoo in 2002.
I think she was either giving herself a mud facial….or denning….she spent a lot of time on digging….
Magnet spent a lot of time in the shade resting… he had an enrichment toy–likely with food inside….too hot to bother, he said…nap time!
Alaska finally came down to the water….she spent a good deal of time floating….and submerging her head in the water….then her head would pop up and she’d blow bubbles… fun to watch her….she was staying cool and I think keeping the flies from bothering her…. what a dear girl…..
The zoo docent was going to give me his badge ’cause I seemed to know more about circus rescue than he did….we laughed….
Of course Juan had to inform anyone who would listen that I visit Knut in Berlin…..Oh, the “orphan bear” a zoo person remarked….
Then we had to taste the local specialties and went to Schultz’s Crab House and had delicious crab bisque soup and wonderful crab cakes…..wonderful…
It was a very pleasant time communing with the bears and getting away from it all for a few days… I texted my sons and told them I was “swimming with polar bears” when I was at the zoo….they so get it, bless their hearts….
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Dear Knuti-Judi,
I’m sure you had a wonderful time with Alaska, Klondyke, Goldlocks & Co. I’m also glad to see so many toys!!
The lego bear looks very impressive. Maybe I’ll have one in my balcony soon….
Thank you for the lovely report!
Hugs from Mervi
Dear Knuti-Judi, visiting zoos and more particularly, polar bears is the best wate of time during vacation. And of course, I noticed that you were not bling for the local “cuisine”. Oh my, crabe bisque …. you made me watering!!!! Your pics are lovely, especially of the “Sleeping Beauty” on the grass. She looks sooo fluffy.
Dear Knuti-judi!
Thank you for the report and pictures from the Philadelphia Zoo and the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. it is very interesting. It is a bit pity that there is “no-male” enclosure in Philadelphia. Two female bears are pretty.
Magnet is really a big boy. I hope our Knuti would be the big bear too.
If I would text to my sons that I swim with the bears, they would belief I do this really. They do not understand that I would not damage the bears.
Many hugs
Ludmila
Impressing elderly polar bear ladies AND toys in Philadelphia Zoo. The LEGO-polar bear construction is amazing. A Tundra buggy in Baltimore!? How exciting! The sleeping bear in the grass looks so lovely! How good to get to know that you had a wonderful time with your hubby and Wendy. Most probably best thing you can do, is to repeat such and comparable events as often as possible!
Dear K-J,
Thank you for your report and photos of the Philadelphia and Maryland zoo polar bears. The elderly polars in Philly look to be in good shape– and they have toys! And isn’t it wonderful the bears have a nice soft lawn to sleep on in Baltimore and apparently sand to dig in! It was wonderful that you could “swim with the bears” that weekend and refresh yourself!
By the way, does the Philadelphia zoo still have a hummingbird building? We visited that many years ago and it was delightful to walk among hundreds of hummingbirds…
Hugs, Sarsam
Dear Judy and Juan!
I have no words.
Just wonderfull.
Oh Thanks so much.
What a wonderful bear.
I hope You dear Knuti-Judy and Juan has possibilities to visit Knut with all these wonderfull bears.
TBM&TBV
Dear K.J
Thanks so much for your great report from Philadelphia and Baltimore.
Magnet impresses me most of all the bears you´ve seen, what a boy!
Greetings
Crissi
Dear Knuti-Judi,
thank you for the great report and the excellent fotos…it’s nice to see the big toys.
The lego bear is very impressive.
Hugs Alex
Dear Knuti – Judy
Thank you so much for the gbreat report and the beautifull pictures.
I love the see and read about zoos from the other side of the big pond.
Thank you for sharing the wonderfull dayes with us
Many hugs
Bea
K-J…I’m so glad I popped over here tonight to see your report…How cool that you got to meet Wendy and see all these bears. Alaska! You are making your way down to Willy, bear by bear. I’m glad to see the enclosure in Baltimore looks nice. I once spent the summer living in Ocean City, MD (during my college days) with a girl who is now the official spokeswoman for the Baltimore zoo.
I could not access your other photos…any tips?
more coming soon
xo
Betsy
Dear Knuti-Judi,
thank you so much for sharing all your impressions and the wonderful pics with us. It is so good to see polar bears who enjoy life. Thank you so much.
Hugs from caren&bernd