SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Zoo has responded to a video circulating on social media of a polar bear that is visibly drooling, panting and lethargic in its enclosure.
Spring is mating season for polar bears, and, according to the zoo, breeding takes up a lot of energy and causes them to have more interest in pursuing females rather than hunting or feeding, which can lead to salivating.
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The San Diego Zoo says its male polar bear, Kalluk, is currently in a period of heightened breeding interest with female polar bear, Chinook.
The zoo’s response came after a TikTok video, that has since been deleted , went viral, showing a polar bear at the San Diego Zoo panting, drooling and looking lethargic. Since then, similar videos of the polar bear have been recreated with people giving their opinions on the matter.
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The zoo says wildlife care experts are closely monitoring Kalluk and Chinook during mating season, which can last several weeks…