Polar bear plays with dog

[tblue37]

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/play/audiogallery/soundseen.shtml
I posted this slide show in the lounge, but I am also cross-posting it here, because I want many people to see it. The polar bear visited the dog every day for a week to play. Considering how hungry the bears are up there because of global warming, it is incredible--and very, very sweet--that the bear just wanted a playmate, not a quick meal.

[Aviation Pro]

1. Interspecies interaction.....

...it happens more frequently than we think.

[rucky]

17. and it's slam-dunk entertainment.

If you don't believe me, look up at the ceiling at the dentist's office.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

41. Bears also from canine family

so they are cousins of dogs in the evolutionary process (for those who subscribe to evolution) ;)

[razorman]

78. Actually, I believe bears are most closely related to pigs.

I could be wrong, but I read that somewhere a long time ago.

[H2O Man]

92. Much closer to dogs.

They come from miacids, from the late Oligocene period, about 27 million years ago.

[razorman]

94. I can believe that. I once saw a black bear in Maine scratching

itself behind the ear with its hind foot, just like a dog. It was kind of funny. I resisted the impulse to go over and pet it, though.

[H2O Man]

95. Their paws and head

are similar to a dog's, as you noted. It was a good choice not to go pet it, as their teeth are also similar to dog's.

My son recently hit one while driving home from his girlfriend's home. It was late, and a foggy night, and he was going slow, and only brushed it. The bear did not appear injured, which made a impression on him.

I've found that they look much larger in a field than in a zoo. And when they get up on their hind legs, even a medium bear looks pretty darned big!

I have a few old bear teeth, found on pre-historic Indian settlements sites in my neighborhood. I think they have always fascinated people.

[Ian_rd]

50. OK, Santorum!

:rofl:

[hlthe2b]

2. Wow... so very amazing, although I've seen enough cross-species

play in the wild to not be totally surprised. Yet, what an extreme example! Cool.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

10. Bush Married A Human So Interspecies Exchanges Do Occur...

[tblue37]

15. Laura is human? I thought she was animatronic! (eom)

[Raven]

3. Wow! Just wonderful! n/t

[Greybnk48]

4. What an amazing interchange n/t

[tblue37]

5. Of course, after the first time the bear didn't eat the dog, the dog's owner

should never have left the dog out on a chain again. If it had been my dog, I would have said, "Whew!" after he wasn't eaten the first time--and then never, ever put him at risk again (or the first time for that matter). I fear the owner was more interested in getting more cool shots than in protecting his dog. But since it turned out okay, I am deeply touched by the pictures, even though I am very upset with the callousness of the dog's owner for leaving him out on a chain, almost as bait, for the bear to visit.

[Botany]

23. Sled Dogs are kept on chain outside in the snow

the owner was not being mean to his dogs

[tblue37]

27. But he knew that bear had visited--and that he kept returning.

After a while, I would think he would begin to fear the bear would eventually get tired of playing and get hungry enough to chow down.

[VLC]

35. leaving dogs on chains is already being mean

as is leaving them out in the snow

and several other things that sled dog "owners" do

[ClintonTyree]

69. Is that personal opinion.....

or do you actually know people with sled dogs? It's been my observation, from actually seeing these dogs work, that they LOVE what they do. As soon as they see their owner in the morning they're raring to go, barking and carrying on like you wouldn't believe. They're well equipped for the harshest weather having not one, but two coats of fur.

As far as chaining them, what else would you propose to do with them? Bring them all into your small tent or shelter where you'd constantly be separating them? They do tend to fight amongst each other and chaining them at well spaced intervals keeps them from doing so.

These are working dogs, and anyone who owns a working dog would know that there's only one thing they want to do: WORK!

Needless to say, I don't share your opinion about the way these dogs are handled. Most mushers would sacrifice almost anything for their dog's safety and well being.

[VLC]

70. The dogs like to be run to death?

Check the Iditarod death stats.

[BadgerLaw2010]

74. Look up what happens when someone with a sedintary lifestyle buys a Huskie.

You are massively ignorant about dogs. Typical "animal rights" whacko - as opposed to real animal rights activists who at least have a clue about the animals they're supporting.

[ClintonTyree]

91. Your statement is disingenuous........

this story has nothing to do with the Iditarod.

[StClone]

75. These are Huskies

They are nearly as cold resistant as polar Bears!!! And if they were not on chains they'd kill each other or wander off and be lost or killed. These are super hardy dogs that LOVE cold and snow and as long as they have a quality diet can withstand intense elements. Metal is used because leather, nylon and other materials would soon be chewed apart or frayed by the elements. That's life.

[Clark2008]

82. Don't know much about Huskies, do you?

My mother owns one - we can't get her to come inside any time the temp drops below 40. She'd rather dig little holes in which to lay than come inside to be petted.

[Forkboy]

87. Uh...no...Huskies LOVE the snow, and it doesn't hurt them at all to be in sub freezing temps.

[Kolesar]

97. Yes. They should have avoided further contact.Otherwise they "habituate" the bear to visiting humans

No matter how cute the encounter was.

[NoPasaran]

6. That's very nice

[Skidmore]

7. Maybe the bear is just playing with his food.

[tblue37]

12. Escept he never ate the dog--he just kept coming back for more play.

Bears are related to dogs, and as we know from watching bears play together, they have to some degree the same sort of playfulness as dogs. I am thinking the bear just felt like playing, and the dog was the playmate he was able to find.

What amazes me is that the dog immediately recognized that the bear was going to play with him, not eat him. I imagine the bear was giving off some sort of signal that the dog could read, but still, it's amazing the dog didn't freak, especially since it was on a chain.

[tblue37]

34. I meant "except," not "escept," of course! n/t

[DUlover2909]

43. They're related to racoons too!

[colorado_ufo]

66. Scent.

[tblue37]

8. Would it be unseemly of me to ask for one more rec?

I really do want as many people as possible to enjoy this precious slide show. Considering that we are in danger of losing polar bears altogether, maybe if this slide show goes viral, people will become even more concerned about protecting their habitat.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

9. I've already rec'd

But I'll give you a kick to help keep it on top.

It was a beautiful moment to witness.

[Karmadillo]

13. Not at all. Thanks for posting this.

nt

[Kajsa]

16. Done!

K&R- to the Greatest Threads with you.

:hi:

[tblue37]

18. Thanks! n/t

[Kajsa]

11. What a beautiful story.

It's as if they had known each other beforehand.

Thanks so much for posting this.

;-)

My heart breaks for the polar bears-
they are losing their habitat.

:cry:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

14. That was precious. I just emailed it to my sons. Thank you for this gift.

:hug:

[Erva]

19. AWESOME

Thanks so much for posting that. We really are all in this life together after all.

[Lisa0825]

32. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[2beToby]

20. How cool!

I don't know what I would've done if a bear got so close to my dog. I probably would've ruined it due to screaming and generally weeping like a new born babe. I just wouldn't have the presence of mind to stay very quiet and let things go naturally.

It's not unusual for sled dogs to be kept outside on chains though (if they were sled dogs). I went to college in the town they hold the Can-Am, a forerunner to the Iditarod race. They're meant to be outside, and they have plenty of places to get shelter if they choose. At least from what I've observed.

I wish more people would take pictures of this stuff more often.

[Botany]

21. thank you for the post

[Hawkowl]

22. Auditioning

I think he might be thinking his new friend might be able to give him a place to crash when the polar ice cap is completely gone in the next couple of years.

[Quixote1818]

24. Beautiful! nt

[lonestarnot]

25. Guess Stevie can take bears off the threatdown.

Too cute!

[Sabriel]

55. First they came for our dogs, and I said nothing, for I was not a dog.

Or something like that.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

26. Kicked and recommended, sent to email list and thank you for

that.

[bear425]

28. ! thank you ! k/r n/t

[grace0418]

29. Oh those pictures BROKE my heart.

What beautiful creatures. I can't believe one of those two species are going to be gone soon. :(

[phusion]

30. Human interspecies play

I read an ethnography a couple of years ago (I wish I could remember the name of the book or the people being studied) that talked about how the children in the tribe would play with wolf pups while mama wolf sat by and watched.

These pictures are really bittersweet to me...These bears probably won't be around much longer. What have we done to this planet? :(

[IndyOp]

31. Did you see the whale and dolphin at play?

This was posted on DU not long ago... The dolphin and a dolphin friend were seen swimming round and round the whale. Suddenly, as the wildlife photographer watched, the dolphin emerged from the water on top of the whale, arching its body so the whale could lift it out of the water. When the dolphin returned to the water it swam over to its dolphin friend and they did the dolphin equivalent of a high five!

We are witnessing some fascinating interspecies interaction lately...

Hippo attempts to save impala from crocodile...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbskV44lZfc

[AnneD]

85. I saw that clip on you tube...

one of the most unbeleivable things I have ever seen. Puts us to shame.

[mzmolly]

33. That is very touching.

Thanks for sharing.

[peacetalksforall]

36. The bear seemed so sad? I'm not sure if that thought would have

crossed my mind if I had seen this 15 years ago. The bear seemed to be in reverie. Sorry for introducing something kinda weird.

[peacetalksforall]

37. Speaking of Faith - one of the good things on NPR. Bravo!

[Lorien]

38. I have a series of photographs framed on my wall that show a similar

scenario. I believe the polar bear in my photos is a female, and the husky is white. The husky shows her a "play face" with his tail held high when she approaches, she gently swats him, then she rolls over on her back and returns the "play face". The husky is chained, but if he wasn't one can imagine them having quite a romp!

My outdoor cat used to play with young raccoons, too. He would sit with his tail switching-a movement the raccoons couldn't resist. They would pounce on his tail tip and he'd gently swat them, then move a few feet away and the same thing would happen all over again until one or the other decided a game of chase would be more fun. No one ever got hurt.

[Duppers]

63. on your wall...

Hi Lorien,

is this what you have on your wall? http://www.blueiceberg.com/nature/nature59.htm

-d

[Lorien]

90. Yep, it's this one here:

http://www.blueiceberg.com/nature/nature59.htm

Do you live in Florida? The photographer is at all the local art festivals.

Oops-the link took me to a horse gallery. The polar bear and dog are in the "triples" gallery-it's titled "Unlikely friends".

[Duppers]

96. no, not FL

I just curse photo galleries on the web. They cheer me. :)



On a down note, there are vids on youtube of polar bears attacking shed dogs for food. Depends on the bear and the hunger, I suppose.

[Dora]

39. There is something for us to learn, here. nt

[MilesColtrane]

40. Tenderizing? n/t

[yorkiemommie1]

42. Bittersweet

I could just weep for the polar bears!

Thank you and I shared it also.

[Hoof Hearted]

44. I really needed that. That was beautiful.

We have so much to learn. It's a pity - so many humans are so smug in their supposed superiority over the other species we share this planet with. Animals have so much to teach us, if we are willing to listen and learn.

[BornagainDUer]

45. Somebody never taught that polar bear not to play with food.

:evilgrin:

[diane in sf]

46. Maybe the polar bear was lonely, you never know what has happened to his family.

[skyounkin]

47. National Geographic had

a GREAT issue a few years/decades back and the focus was "Animals at Play". They had a Bear and Husky playing photo set. It had a bunch of animals playing and acting oddly, but playing still. A bird would lie on it's back and slide down a few feet on snowy slope, a Chimp was swimming and kept grabbing a Lizard and dragging the poor thing to the middle of the river they were swimming in, having great fun at the lizards expense. I recommend that issue to anyone who could snag a copy.

I remember a while ago watching a nature/NG special were a pack of Hyenas were harassing a baby Rhino and the mother Rhino couldn't keep the pack off her baby- BUT then a male Lion comes charging in and opens a can of whoop-ass on the Hyenas.....then the mother and baby ran away. Lions- king of the beasts.

[onehandle]

48. So what? I was just playing with our cats and didn't eat a single one.

And yes, I am a polar bear.

[Skittles]

52. they don't taste that good

if they did you'd be snacking right now

[Ian_rd]

49. I guess some things are more important than food.

The bear knows his world is literally melting away, so why not go out happy and playing?

[StarryNite]

51. Bittersweet

considering the predicament the polar bears are in right now. Thank you so much for sharing.

[Greylyn58]

53. Just incredible

and so very touching.

How can we let such magnificent creatures as the Polar Bear, vanish from the Earth? Something must be done.

Thanks for posting that.

[OhioChick]

54. How Adorable!

My Husky seems to enjoy playing with neighborhood skunks. :eyes:

Thanks for posting. :)

[BoneDaddy]

56. um no offense

but the voice of reason in me says that based upon the video "evidence" I cannot come to the same conclusion. I see some semi clips of dog and bear with no real follow thru. .The bear could have eaten the dog in the next clip ...although I think it unlikely, this "proves" nohing.. What is the point? That under it all extreme mammals (polar bears) are soft and cuddly? If so we are part of the non evolved. So if a polar bear spares the life of a dog, it determines WHAT?

[Duppers]

65. hey, read this...

http://originalplay.com/beardog.htm

So if a polar bear spares the life of a dog, it determines WHAT?

That the bear considers the dog a family relative? On the evolutionary/biological chain, they are cousins.

[Maraya1969]

57. Can't they drop down food for the poor polar bears?

I can't stand the thought of them starving to death. Why can't plans drop meat for them like they do for people who are stranded?

[Shakespeare]

58. Very moving. n/t

[goforit]

59. Their souls are higher than human souls!

[mavoix]

83. Their souls are higher...

You got that right! The "incarnation" believers have got it backwards.

[mavoix]

84. Their souls are higher...

Correction: The "REincarnation" people have got it backwards.

[defendandprotect]

60. Really interesting -- thank you! -- Had the sense that they were talking to one another --- ???

[Beaverhausen]

61. kicking so I can watch this tomorrow

[Critters2]

62. Wow. K&R. Thanks for sharing! nt

[DianaForRussFeingold]

64. If only... Republicans and Democrats Could Unite Like That .. For Peace And Justice

Instead Of WAR... :hug: tblue37 :hug: n2doc http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1770668 :kick:

[liberal N proud]

67. Cool!

[sinkingfeeling]

68. Awesome! My two favorite animals in the whole world! I made the trip to Churchill in 1987 to

see polar bears in the wild. It was an amazing trip. Thanks so much!

[in_cog_ni_to]

71. Awwwwww! If only humans would pay attention to that and LEARN from it, we'd have PEACE ON EARTH.

How sweet.:)

[williesgirl]

72. Wow, that was phenomenal - thanks for posting - rec'd

[KalicoKitty]

73. Sweet!

Thanks for sharing! :hi:

[SmokingJacket]

76. That's very sweet, but...

http://www.livescience.com/animals/060612_polar_bears.html

Polar Bears Resorting to Cannibalism

They might not be eating dogs, but they are eating each other. Things are really difficult for polar bears these days.

[mavoix]

89. Polar bears resorting to cannibalism

Maybe they eat each other because they taste like fish, which is their natural diet (when they can get it) (Try eating raw garlic and see how you smell.) Maybe this polar bear didn't eat the dog because the dog didn't smell like fish.

[Katherine Brengle]

77. That just made me really happy, thanks for sharing.

That might be the sweetest thing I've ever seen.

[BrklynLib at work]

79. Kick kick kick....love it. Also love the NPR show.

[Contrary1]

80. Here's another neat story:

Chihuahua Mom Adopts 4 Squirrel Babies

Video and slideshow to the right side of article. Enjoy! :hi:

http://www.local6.com/family/14066730/detail.html?rss=orlpn&psp=news

[tblue37]

93. Very sweet. Thanks for that. n/t

[flashl]

81. This kinda beats out the survival of this fittest drumbeat

Thanks, I felt my blood pressure drop. K&R

[graywarrior]

86. Powerful message there.

[Forkboy]

88. For Sale:One Polar bear.Plays well with others!

That was a cool story. :)