Thistle Bear had a dilemma of his own, while the other four cubs in Enclosure #3 were busily engaged in eating. It started when he was playing with the swingy ball suspended from the resting platform.

Thistle played with the swingy ball. Note the other cubs are eating and not paying attention.

Thistle stood up and started to pull the ball up to the platform.

He kept at it, persistently pulling on the rope.

He kept at his task.

You’ve about got it, Thistle!

The ball isn’t swinging now. Thistle gives it a good bite (it might be a giant blueberry)!

He starts down with his prize.

A problem has occurred.

The rope is in knots – that’s unexpected.

It’s OK, he meant to do that . . .(sort of)

Oops! Note that cubs are ID’d as those in Wild Enclosure #3, but these cubbies are the Jumbo Cubs in Enclosure #1.

This is an example of why it’s a mistake to try and sleep with bear cubs. You will not have a good night’s sleep, because bear cubs wrestle at any hour of the day or night! “Bear” that in mind, when choosing your roommates and a place to sleep.