The large cubs in Enclosure #1 are sleeping together in a Cubby Pile, day or night.
Look at those nice, round bottoms!
Since they will be leaving soon, they have to destroy as much as possible!
Tater pulls up the remains of the swingy ball.
They regroup into a cubby swirl position. One of them has a muddy bottom!
Juggles made a brief appearance.
Rain sent all cubs up trees.
Twinkle was sleeping on her ground nest.
She woke up slowly.
Once awake, she climbed up the tree where Tinsel was perched, and settled a few branches lower.
Later, Tinsel climbed down to forage, passing by Twinkle.
Then Twinkle climbed down. See how Tinsel moved away, to let Twinkle come down without intimidating her.
They foraged near to each other, but separated by the tree, as they’ve done before.
But they remain suspicious and scurry to opposite trees on the slightest provocation.
OK girls, go to your own area and keep foraging!
This is a fascinating peek into the behavior of black bears who are almost, but not quite, yearlings. They are, after all, solitary animals, and will spend their lives alone, except during motherhood. The cubs who have been together longer (like the big four) are more social. It may be that these two will come together, and it may be that they don’t. We shall see as their daily dramas play out. Watch this space.