Alaska Zoo relocates 2 orphaned bear cubs

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Two orphaned black bear cubs on the Alaska Zoo are going to a brand new house. The cubs will probably be shipped out early Thursday morning to the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The feminine cubs, roughly 9 months previous, had been discovered orphaned on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in June. Alaska Zoo Curator Sam Lavin mentioned the zoo had been on the lookout for a facility the place the pair might have a everlasting house.

“We all know once they are available in that they’re going someplace else, so we attempt to not actually get hooked up,” Lavin mentioned. “However we perform a little bit.”

The Alaskan bears will probably be becoming a member of an orphaned Louisiana black bear named Sassafras, based on Liz Wilson, a keeper on the Audubon Zoo who’s in Anchorage to select up the bears.

Wilson mentioned Sassafras is roughly the identical age because the cubs. Not like the Alaskan bears, that are shy and cautious, Sassafras is outgoing and appears to take pleasure in folks.

“She lives as much as her identify,” Wilson mentioned. “She is stuffed with sass, she has a zest for all times. She’s actually participating along with her keepers, she trains effectively. She’s only a nice exhibit bear.”

Wilson mentioned it’s apparent that Sassafras additionally wants the corporate of her personal species.

“She is seeking to play and roughhouse, so we’re undoubtedly seeing these indicators that she wants companionship with different bears,” Wilson mentioned.

Keepers at each zoos are assured the Alaskan bears will do fantastic in Louisiana, however they’ll undoubtedly should make just a few changes. For one, winter temperatures of their new house may be within the 70s. Wilson mentioned it will likely be too heat for the Alaskan bears to hibernate, however they’ll have a good looking exhibit to take pleasure in year-round.

“It’s very, very true to what Louisiana swamps appear to be,” Wilson mentioned. “So there’s the lagoon, actually nice inexperienced grass, lots of timber that these animals can climb by means of. And our bear does wish to swim, so we’re hopeful these guys could have the identical pleasure for swimming as effectively.”

Wilson predicts the Alaskan cubs will probably be celebrities as soon as they settle into their new house.

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