The ABR cubs are often on the prowl for food.  Their job while they are staying with us is to eat and grow big and strong for their pending release.  They take this job very seriously and don’t have to be coaxed to eat.

Cubs on the prowl. Rollo is the leader.

They head for the food.

A noise startled Otto, who ran to a nearby tree.

Bear cubs are easily startled, and their best defense is to climb a tree.

It wasn’t so scary after all. Otto comes back down.

They soon get back to the business of eating.

The curators are beginning to see the signs of hyperphagia in the cubs.  This is the feeding frenzy that compels all bears to increase their food intake in late summer to early fall.  They instinctively know they must pack on additional pounds to be ready for hibernation.  In response to this observation, the curators are increasing the amount of food they throw into the enclosure.