The bear cubs at ABR play rough! They are very hard on the enclosures and the enrichment items that the curators provide to keep them busy and occupied during their stay. We have an example today, how two of the cubs in Wild Enclosure #3 are using and possibly wrecking a couple of those enrichment items.

Thistle decided to tackle the Swingy Ball.

He actually lifted his feet off the ground! Quite a feat for a little bear cub!

Yes! This is lift-off for sure! Good job, Thistle!

Meanwhile, Taco Bear climbs up on the vertical den.

He is intrigued by the firehose wrapping around the culvert that forms the den.

He decides to tear off the hose.

Determination pays off – Taco succeeds!

“Look what I did!”

Gotta make sure it really is pulled off!

Taco waits for applause. What an achievement!

He puts his weight into the final ripping of the firehose.

And at the conclusion of his activity, he looks quite proud of himself. We can only chuckle at how cute he looks, and how innocent he seems. It isn’t hard to understand how very difficult it is for ABR to maintain the facility with these little hooligans as residents!