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A Polar bear exam at Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Published: Feb. 23, 2013 at 5:05 p.m. PST
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  • A sleeping giant, Boris the Polar bear underwent a full physical exam Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal hospital as a team of veterinarians, technicians and staff also performed a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    A sleeping giant, Boris the Polar bear underwent a full physical exam Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal hospital as a team of veterinarians, technicians and staff also performed a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Dr. Edmund Kwan at left, performs a root canal as Dr, Tom Sullivan removed a growth from the eye lid of Boris, a Pt. Definance Zoo & Aquarium Polar bear Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. A team of veterinarians, technicians and staff performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 922 pound , 27- year polar bear who was rescued from a mexican circus in Puerto Rico. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Dr. Edmund Kwan at left, performs a root canal as Dr, Tom Sullivan removed a growth from the eye lid of Boris, a Pt. Definance Zoo & Aquarium Polar bear Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. A team of veterinarians, technicians and staff performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 922 pound , 27- year polar bear who was rescued from a mexican circus in Puerto Rico. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Frenetic activity by humans, including keepsake paw prints swirled around Boris the Polar Bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal hospital as a team of veterinarians, technicians and staff performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Frenetic activity by humans, including keepsake paw prints swirled around Boris the Polar Bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal hospital as a team of veterinarians, technicians and staff performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Sedated, Boris the bear is cared for during a physical examine on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. A team of veterinarians, technicians and staff performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear who was rescued from a mexican circus in Puerto Rico. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Sedated, Boris the bear is cared for during a physical examine on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. A team of veterinarians, technicians and staff performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear who was rescued from a mexican circus in Puerto Rico. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • The hands of Dr. Edmund Kwan, from Tukwila, are reflected in the special eye-piece he used as he performed a root canal on Boris the Polar Bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    The hands of Dr. Edmund Kwan, from Tukwila, are reflected in the special eye-piece he used as he performed a root canal on Boris the Polar Bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Special files, mirrors, retractors and probes were tools of the trade as a Sedated, Boris the Polar bear is cared for during a physical examine on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Special files, mirrors, retractors and probes were tools of the trade as a Sedated, Boris the Polar bear is cared for during a physical examine on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Dr. Edmund Kwan, from Tukwila, packs and contours a amalgam filling as he performed a root canal on Boris the Polar Bear Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Dr. Edmund Kwan, from Tukwila, packs and contours a amalgam filling as he performed a root canal on Boris the Polar Bear Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Dr. Alliison Case, center, closely monitors Boris the Polar Bear during a physical on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. Case, Dr. Tom Sullivan, left, and Dr. Jim Reed, second from left, were part of the team that performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear who was rescued from a mexican circus in Puerto Rico. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Dr. Alliison Case, center, closely monitors Boris the Polar Bear during a physical on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. Case, Dr. Tom Sullivan, left, and Dr. Jim Reed, second from left, were part of the team that performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear who was rescued from a mexican circus in Puerto Rico. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • A pair of gloved hands are dwarfed by the furry paws of Boris the Polar Bear at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital Saturday Feb. 23, 2013. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    A pair of gloved hands are dwarfed by the furry paws of Boris the Polar Bear at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital Saturday Feb. 23, 2013. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Staff help adjust the position of Boris the Polar Bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 during a physical examine. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Staff help adjust the position of Boris the Polar Bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 during a physical examine. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • As Boris the Polar bear slept it off, head veterinarian Karen Wolf, left, works on trimming claws and taking care of paws Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    As Boris the Polar bear slept it off, head veterinarian Karen Wolf, left, works on trimming claws and taking care of paws Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Head veterinarian, Dr, Karen Wolf, clips the massive claws of Boris the Polar bear during a physical fSaturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Head veterinarian, Dr, Karen Wolf, clips the massive claws of Boris the Polar bear during a physical fSaturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Boris gets his whistle wet from a caring staff member during his physical examine Saturday Feb. 23, 2013. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Boris gets his whistle wet from a caring staff member during his physical examine Saturday Feb. 23, 2013. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Carson Reed, 6 years old hugs his stuffed polar bear 'Poley,' after a physical for Boris the Polar Bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. Carson's dad, Dr. Jim Reed was part of the team of that performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear. Carson also got to touch one of Boris's massive furry paws. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Carson Reed, 6 years old hugs his stuffed polar bear 'Poley,' after a physical for Boris the Polar Bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. Carson's dad, Dr. Jim Reed was part of the team of that performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear. Carson also got to touch one of Boris's massive furry paws. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • After Boris's procedure was over a special moment for six year- old Carson Reed was possible as he got to touch the paw of Boris the Polar bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Carson's dad, Dr. Jim Reed was part of the team of that performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    After Boris's procedure was over a special moment for six year- old Carson Reed was possible as he got to touch the paw of Boris the Polar bear on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Carson's dad, Dr. Jim Reed was part of the team of that performed a full physical examine , a root canal and some minor eye surgery on the 27- year polar bear. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image
  • Point Definace Zoo & Aquarium staff paused for a group shot after the physical examine of Boris the Polar bear was over Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE)
    Point Definace Zoo & Aquarium staff paused for a group shot after the physical examine of Boris the Polar bear was over Saturday Feb. 23, 2013 at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium's animal health care hospital. (DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE) Buy this image

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