On December 9th, Cosmo and Lemon Drop were released, and during their exit exams, it was revealed, much to everyone’s surprise, that Cosmo is a girl! As you know, Cosmo was deemed a boy on arrival, and we thought all along that “he” was male. Surprise! Let’s review their stay at ABR since they arrived in late June, at the age of 5 months.
The two cubs arrived in June.They went into the Hartley House.Lemon Drop had to return to UT because of an abscess on her cheek.
They had to be separated because Lemon Drop was on meds, and Cosmo was lonely.Cosmo was let out into a Wild Enclosure.A small cub by a big tree.Soon, Lemon Drop was out with Cosmo. Lemon Drop had very unique facial coloring. The cubs in their enclosure became friends.Cosmo liked to swim.Lemon Drop grew and became more beautiful with her unusual coloring.The cubs had fun in their enclosure.The two siblings were getting nicely chubbified.It was time for release.Both bears were ready to go home.Lemon Drop was first to the staging area.There is no trace of the abscess that was repaired. Her eyes are covered.Look at those healthy teeth!Lemon Drop weighed 79.58 pounds. She is a petite bear cub.Her eyes are checked.Even in a closeup, there’s no sign of the surgery for her abscess.Her ears still have the brown fur characteristic of cubs.Lemon Drop has long claws on her foot.Cosmo’s turn for an exam.Eyes covered with a different style covering.Cosmo’s foot.Measurements are taken.Cosmo’s footpad.Blood and fur samples are taken. Cosmo weighs 97.44 pounds!Oh my! Cosmo is a GIRL! Surprise!Hello, Ms Cosmo!At the release site, Cosmo comes out of the carrier.She literally flies off of the truck!Away,Cosmo!There she goes!Up a tree she goes!Here comes Lemon Drop!She left the truck with a beautiful dive!Off she goes!Up a tree, where she feels safe!
Goodbye and good luck to our two sister cubs! We wish you long, happy and healthy lives in the wild, and may you have beautiful cubs of your own one of these days!
