It’s Cold and Rainy

Posted on   December 1, 2020
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Category  :  Bear Feature Stories & Photos

As might be expected, all of the cubs scurried up the trees where they perched during the nasty weather. There was one cub, however, who didn’t retreat to the trees right away. He/she was indeed soggy.

This cub was out all alone, with the rest of the gang up in the trees.
The forlorn little wet bear walked along the platform. . .
. . . until it reached a tree to climb up and join the others.

The curators had provided some special treats for the little bears, including some venison that was donated by a hunter. Bears do eat meat, although it makes up a very small part of their diet, so it was good to let the cubs experience this new type of food. Their reactions were interesting. The cubs in Wild Enclosure #1 tore off chunks and ate the meat, apparently enjoying this new food, but the Rainbow Triplets let the venison hang in their enclosure for a few days, until it was “ripe.”

The Rainbow Triplets investigated the meat once it had achieved a certain level of ripeness.
Rather than eat it, they rubbed it on their face and head, to get the full effect of “eau de venison,” a new perfume, perhaps?

Curators also threw persimmons and small pumpkins into the enclosures for the bears to try.

Ferdinand enjoyed a juicy persimmon.
One of the cubs enjoyed a small pumpkin. It was a fun toy, too, when it rolled away.

The curators try to give the cubs as many different foods as they can, so that when they encounter any of these things in the wild they will have had the chance to experience them. As bears, however, the chances are good that they would try them, anyway. Bears are curious and will try just about anything.