The three bears – Bennie, Jerry, and Carrie – have been introduced to a new source of nutrition.  Curator Coy gave them some puppy chow.   They have been given formula, for the calcium and other nutrients they need.  But as long as they require the formula, they can not be released into the wild enclosure, where they will learn to be wild bears.  Puppy chow is high in calcium.  Other foods that are high in calcium include leafy greens.  The curators have been offering greens to the cubs, and the little bears don’t seem to be crazy about them, although they will learn to eat them in good time.  The puppy chow is just another food that provides the calcium they need for strong bones.  The great thing about puppy chow is the fact that it can be thrown over the fence to scatter in the wild enclosure, so the cubs can practice foraging for their food.

Carrie investigates

As usual, Carrie Bear was the first one to check out the new food.  But soon, her brothers followed suit.

3 bears try the new food

You can see in these photos that the cubs are growing.  Here is a profile view of one of the three bears (sorry, but we can’t identify which one it is) that shows a change in the overall  appearance.  The nose is growing longer, and the “baby” face is being replaced by a real bear face.

Looking like a bear