TOLEDO, Ohio, December 1, 2022 – The Toledo Zoo is thrilled to announce the beginning of dual Polar bear cubs. The cubs’ dad and mom are 24-year-old feminine, Crystal, and 18-year-old male, Nuka.
In March 2022, the Toledo Zoo introduced the addition of Nuka after the Affiliation of Zoos and Aquarium’s Species Survival Program (SSP) issued a breeding suggestion for Crystal in hopes of mating to maintain this endangered species.
“We’re very comfortable to welcome these two new cubs and enhance the long-term sustainability of the species,” mentioned Michael Frushour, curator of mammals for the Toledo Zoo.
Crystal’s eighth and ninth cubs had been born on November 11, 2022, every weighing roughly two kilos. Their genders are unknown presently and might be decided at their first neonatal examination, which is able to happen in February.
Crystal and the cubs are presently within the birthing den, which offers a quiet, secure place for a mom to offer beginning and lift cubs. Within the wild, this is able to be in a snow financial institution or aspect of a hill. Keepers and vet employees monitor the cubs through a digicam that additionally picks up audio. Generally the cubs should not seen as a consequence of positioning, however they’ll nonetheless be heard nursing.
Male polar bears don’t take part within the rearing of younger; subsequently, Nuka stays on exhibit each day. Crystal and the cubs are estimated to make their public exhibit debut within the spring of 2023.
Within the meantime, you possibly can watch a stay feed on the Toledo Zoo’s YouTube channel of Crystal and the cubs. Stay feed viewing is obtainable each day from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The digicam might be off after 4 p.m., however viewers can nonetheless hear the Polar bears by means of the microphone.
“We’re proud to have the ability to give the group a sneak peek on the cubs in real-time earlier than they’re on exhibit. You will not wish to miss seeing the cubs in individual this spring, so we strongly encourage the acquisition or renewal of a zoo membership to take advantage of out of your visits,” mentioned Frushour.
Tune in now at https://youtu.be/kBLzb1MCJRs