Post by TavKat on Dec 16, 2006 2:05:13 GMT -5
Toledo, OH—They say great things happen in threes, and The Toledo Zoo can attest to that as they celebrate the birth of three polar bear cubs! 11-year-old Nan gave birth to a cub on November 22, followed closely by 8-year-old Crystal, who gave birth to two cubs on November 25. Both mothers are nursing their cubs and demonstrating good maternal behaviors, and Zoo officials have good reason to be cautiously optimistic about the future well-being of the cubs.
Crystal with her cubs, born Nov 25
The first week is a crucial time for polar bear cubs, and we were very encouraged by the fact that both mothers immediately began caring appropriately for their offspring,” says Dr. Anne Baker, the Zoo’s Executive Director. “Now we need to monitor how well they do during their first month, which is also a very important time for polar bear cubs.” If all goes well, the Zoo hopes to have the three cubs on exhibit by late spring. Until then Crystal, Nan and the cubs will be off-exhibit, although 10-year-old father Marty is currently on exhibit in the Zoo’s Arctic Encounter®
Nan with her cub, born Nov 22
Both Nan and Crystal are first-time mothers. The polar bear cubs weighed approximately one pound at birth and are growing quite rapidly. The sex of the cubs has not yet been determined, nor have they been given names. The cubs are currently in their den with their mothers, who have access to food and water in the den while they are nursing. Polar bears are largely solitary animals except when females have cubs. Pregnant females put on fat and enter their dens in the fall, not feeding until after the birth of their cubs. The polar bear keepers have been monitoring the bears’ progress remotely on video cameras.
While Crystal and Nan are in their den nursing their newborns, Zoo staff members are doing everything they can to minimize any disruption near the Arctic Encounter®. Keepers have switched from metal buckets to plastic buckets as they seek to keep noise levels down during this crucial time in the baby polar bear’s lives, and cleaning schedules have been altered to minimize disruptions.
In the wild, polar bears are listed as vulnerable due to climate change, and increased cub mortality has been a major factor in the decline of their population. The Toledo Zoo is participating in a Species Survival Plan (SSP) established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to help preserve this species into the future.
Crystal with her cubs, born Nov 25
The first week is a crucial time for polar bear cubs, and we were very encouraged by the fact that both mothers immediately began caring appropriately for their offspring,” says Dr. Anne Baker, the Zoo’s Executive Director. “Now we need to monitor how well they do during their first month, which is also a very important time for polar bear cubs.” If all goes well, the Zoo hopes to have the three cubs on exhibit by late spring. Until then Crystal, Nan and the cubs will be off-exhibit, although 10-year-old father Marty is currently on exhibit in the Zoo’s Arctic Encounter®
Nan with her cub, born Nov 22
Both Nan and Crystal are first-time mothers. The polar bear cubs weighed approximately one pound at birth and are growing quite rapidly. The sex of the cubs has not yet been determined, nor have they been given names. The cubs are currently in their den with their mothers, who have access to food and water in the den while they are nursing. Polar bears are largely solitary animals except when females have cubs. Pregnant females put on fat and enter their dens in the fall, not feeding until after the birth of their cubs. The polar bear keepers have been monitoring the bears’ progress remotely on video cameras.
While Crystal and Nan are in their den nursing their newborns, Zoo staff members are doing everything they can to minimize any disruption near the Arctic Encounter®. Keepers have switched from metal buckets to plastic buckets as they seek to keep noise levels down during this crucial time in the baby polar bear’s lives, and cleaning schedules have been altered to minimize disruptions.
In the wild, polar bears are listed as vulnerable due to climate change, and increased cub mortality has been a major factor in the decline of their population. The Toledo Zoo is participating in a Species Survival Plan (SSP) established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to help preserve this species into the future.