AR cubs and LA cubs

In May, ABR received a pair of 4-month-old cubs, both females, from Louisiana.  One of these cubs weighed 7 pounds, and the other weighed 5.8 pounds.  Several weeks later, as the cubs grew, it was discovered that one of the LA cubs was actually a male!

In June, 2 more cubs, 1 male and 1 female,  arrived from Arkansas.  They each weighed 15 pounds.  All four cubs were housed temporarily in a smaller enclosure within the larger (half-acre) pen, until they weighed about 30 pounds each.

By late July the AR cubs weighed 40 pounds each, and the LA cubs weighed 30 pounds each!  All four were released into the large enclosure and immediately investigated their new home.  Climbing the trees has become a popular activity for all 4 cubs.  They now spend most of the day in trees, and descend in the afternoon to take a nap at the base of the trees.  In late afternoon to early evening, they start foraging for the food that has been thrown over the fence for them to find.

At home in the large enclosure

The first week in August brought 2 more cubs from Arkansas, yet another brother and sister that had been orphaned.  These cubs came in weighing about 30 pounds each, and although it took them a few days to get used to their new home, they have joined the previous four in tree climbing, napping, and foraging activities.

The cubs should have gained enough weight by late fall to be released back into their native areas, and at that time the wildlife officers from Arkansas and Louisiana will return to pick them up and transport them home.

The newest arrivals