50 • Playtime

Playtime

Stefanie wasn't quite sure what to make of this playful, thousand-pound polar bear, who we watched swim with a small ball for 10 minutes this morning. The size of his padded paws, flattened against the water as he swam, was awesome. He would hold the ball close and swim to the bottom of the tank, and then release the ball and try to catch it again as it raced to the surface -- humorous, since he seemed to be purposefully giving himself the workout over and over. Until, that is, he decided he was done, at which point he gracefully exited the pool with a quick shake of wet fur, and ambled off out of sight.