Fish Treats for Grizzly Cubs
Posted at 12:38 pm February 26, 2008 by Hali Anderson
Some of you may have been wondering how the San Diego Zoo’s grizzly cubs, Scout and Montana, are doing these days (see Hali’s blog, Brown Bear Boys). Very well, I must say, and just as adorable as ever! Recently, a rotation of different kinds of fish (smelt, mackerel, herring, and trout) became a part of their daily diet, much to their great delight!
After cleaning the boys’ exhibit in the morning, I usually hide their fish all around for them to find. As soon as I start placing the fish I can hear the loud, deep breaths of highly sensitive brown bear noses behind the big metal door of their holding pen. They can hardly wait to get out there and “hunt” for their favorite food. Then, after I release Scout and Montana back out to exhibit, it’s a race between them to see who can find the most fish first. It’s a good lesson in using their olfactory skills, since the fish are often stuck into crevices or under objects, making the discovery quite a challenge. Scout, the little devil, has taken to dangling his fish finds in front of Montana and instigating an intimidating screaming and punching match that resonates throughout Bear Canyon. I’m still not sure why Scout continues to do this as Montana usually always makes out with the fish! That’s okay though, there’s plenty to go around.
Another new development is that Montana has learned to swim. And I don’t just mean splash around in the pool, we’re talking a full-on doggie paddle. This will come in handy once we start putting live fish into the pool for them to catch. Scout has also been seen paddling with his front legs, but still seems to keep his rear legs planted. Maybe Montana will teach him soon!
Coming up with new enrichment ideas continues to be a keeper challenge, but I will forever be researching and attempting new items. The boys are avid nest builders, so giving them plenty of things to shred in order to add to their bedding is always fun. New scents and food items are also routine enrichment choices, and we have a few new “toys” in the works. But, perhaps their most favorite activity of all is romping around and wrestling with each other and doing mock battles. Keep visiting the babies as they grow and learn; you are sure to be entertained!
Hali Anderson is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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February 26th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Hali, what a joy they must be to watch and they sure are smart and what a challenge it must be to come up with new ways to keep them busy.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Those are the cuitest faces I have ever seen!
February 26th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
oh bless their heartssssssssssssssssss
February 26th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Watching them must be so much fun! It must be rewarding to see them hunt down all the fish you hide. I would imagine that it’s very hard to get your work done with such appealing distractions!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Aww, the boys are adorable!! Thanks for the update…can’t wait for more news about these cuties!
February 27th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Hali, what fun you must have every day. New discoveries every hour.
At what age will the brothers be separated? Will they both stay at SDZ or will one or both of them travel elsewhere to find mates?
February 27th, 2008 at 11:59 am
How big are these guys going to get? They are huge already and they are just youngsters. Why hasn’t the zoo had grizzly bears for such a long time?
February 28th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Hali thank you so much for this update about Scout and Montana! They must be tons of fun to care for, and they must provide tons of laughs! I’m studying to become a zookeeper and I hope someday to care for such beautiful bears as Scout and Montana.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
i cant wait to hear more about these guys….they even look like boy bears. feed me play with me
March 6th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Why don’t San Diego Zoo has a bear cam?????? *hint* maybe you should? Thanks for the Blogs bcuz I don’t live near there and its great to ” see” and read about your/our babies…
March 19th, 2008 at 4:27 am
What a pleasure to read.
March 26th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Hello San Diego Zoo, I think the two grizzly cubs, Scout and Montana, are cuties! Where did they come from? Canada, Alaska, Russia, WY, UT, a grizzly bear sanctuary?
Moderator’s note: Information about their background can be found in our Press Release section at http://www.sandiegozoo.org/CF/pressreleases/releasedetail.cfm?id=539
March 28th, 2008 at 8:27 am
i love baby cubs!!! they are soo cute!
April 21st, 2008 at 12:47 pm
they are so adorable. i want to keep them.