In mid-May, ABR received two more tiny cubs, bringing the total to seven.  One of the newcomers is from the Gatlinburg, TN area and came in weighing  not quite 4  pounds.  The other cub, from Arkansas, weighed about a pound more.  Both of these extra-small cubs are drinking in the very expensive formula that replaces bear mothers’ milk.   Speculation is that these cubs may have been born in February rather than having the usual January birthdays. 

The earlier arrivals, from Louisiana and Tennessee, now weigh between 10 and 25 pounds.  Yes, bear cubs do grow very quickly!  Remember, though, that they need to weigh between 70 and 80 pounds when they will be released in late fall.