The cubs at ABR are, indeed,chubbifying (getting chonky, if you prefer). In other words, they are eating a LOT and spending many hours in pursuit of chubbiness. Unlike humans, who are always concerned about having too much weight, bears of all ages are happy to eat lots of food, and to enjoy the subsequent weight gain.

Look at the cubs in Wild Enclosure #1. They are really growing in all directions – horizontal as well as vertical!

Nessie Bear demonstrates the habit of using her paw as a plate for the peanuts she is munching on. Good manners, Nessie!

Gathering around their Cubby Pool, the girls in Wild Enclosure #4 forage and have water close by, when they get thirsty.

Or, in the case of Sorrel Bear, if they want to soak in water, it’s close by. You’d think she would opt for the larger pool instead of the Drinking Tub, but it’s her choice.

The “T” cubs in Wild Enclosure #3 are positioned for munching and drinking.

And our yearling, Heather, in the Recovery Center, has cleaned out her bowl of food, and is taking a nap. She is a rare cub in the fact that she actually uses her bed for sleeping. Very few of our cubs have ever done that. Good for you, Heather!

The curators hope that they will soon have the OK from the UT vets to release Heather into a Wild Enclosure so she can be outdoors again. Our fingers are crossed!