Polar Bear Lounging in a Tub of Ice Water Is Living the Dream
Polar Bears are built for life in some of the coldest places on Earth, so it takes a little creativity for zoos and wildlife facilities to keep them cool and enriched during warmer weather. Fortunately for Kallik, a resident Polar Bear at the Oregon Zoo, his caretakers found the perfect solution.
@oregonzoo Kallik is so chill #polarplunge#bear#tub#animals#oregonzoo
original sound - Oregon Zoo
In a recently shared TikTok video, Kallik was treated to an enormous ice bath, and it's safe to say he was thrilled. The playful bear splashed, floated, and rolled around in the icy water as if he had just discovered a hidden paradise. At one point, he even floated over and booped the camera with his nose, giving zoo followers an up-close look at how much fun he was having.
Related: National Zoo's New Baby Asian Elephant, Lin Mai, Makes a Splash With First Bubble Bath
Humans may use ice baths to soothe sore muscles after a workout or to aid recovery from an injury or illness, but Kallik doesn't need an excuse. For a Polar Bear, lounging in a giant tub of ice and freezing water is simply a good time. Watching him happily drift through the chilly bath makes it clear that, if given the choice, he'd probably spend all day there-at least until the ice melted.
Why Polar Bears Love Ice and Cold Water
Due to their thick, dense fur and insulating layers of body fat, Polar Bears are physically adapted for life in some of Earth's coldest environments. However, this makes them prone to overheating when temperatures climb too high, especially when they aren't in their natural habitat.
Cold, icy water plays an important role in helping Polar Bears regulate their body temperature. In the wild, Polar Bears spend a lot of time swimming in icy water and resting on snow-covered terrain. These chilly conditions are what their bodies are adapted to.
Enrichment activities like ice baths and frozen treats are so important for engaging Polar Bears living in zoos and wildlife facilities. They not only keep the animals comfortable, but they also encourage natural behaviors such as exploring, swimming, and playing.
For a Polar Bear like Kallik, a giant tub filled with ice and water is about as perfect as it gets.
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 7:20 PM.