Comments on: Wider World for Sun Bear Cubs

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 05:16:44 +0000

Sayuri #1,

We aren’t following the black bears at Ueno, but we do have a cooperative research agreement in which we monitor Asiatic blacks at the Ani Bear Park in Japan.

Margaret #3,
At our Zoo, the male will not be placed with his cubs. In some zoos in Europe, managers have successfully reintroduced a male to his breeding partner and female offspring just prior to weaning age for the cub, and the three have lived harmoniously together!

By: nancy from michigan

nancy from michigan — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:21:35 +0000

Twins are a lot of work for ANY MOTHER! I bet they are adorable. marcella sounds like she is a devoted mother and very watchful over her babies.

Sure wish that we were locals and could visit your zoo whenever we wanted to. I would surely have an annual ticket! thanks for the up-date! I can’t believe that they are 2 1/2 mos. old already. time sure does fly!

By: Sharon in Fort Worth

Sharon in Fort Worth — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:46:37 +0000

We have sun bears at the Ft Worth Zoo and they have always been a favorite with my husband & me. I think ours are the Malayan subspecies. Well, since we have not yet been blessed with twin panda cubs in the U.S, I find these twin sun bear cubs to be especially exciting. Too bad we do not have a webcam to watch their progress as we do with panda cubs. I certainly hope that when the twins make their public debut, you will remember all us far-flung bear fans and post a video clip for us to enjoy. I really enjoyed the one with the tiger cubs playing with their Halloween pumpkins. Thanks for the update, Suzanne.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:59:26 +0000

Thanks, Suzanne, sounds like Marcella has her paws full of twin cubs. Will Dad be involved with them at all, since he is pacing outside the birthing den? Or, is he just reacting to the sounds and smell coming from their direction? I think you wrote previously that cubs are raised by their mother, with no involvement of the father.

We look forward to hearing more about their adventures as they finally are “allowed” by Marcella to go out into the world and explore. For now she sounds like she is quite content to keep them confined where she has more control.

By: Shirley Sykes

Shirley Sykes — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:05:34 +0000

Thanks, Suzanne, for the updated information. Many of us zoo regulars are eagerly awaiting the debut of the new cubs. It’s wonderful that they seem so healthy and intelligent. Are you still guessing a boy and a girl? When might staff finally be able to examine the cubs? Dad is often seen pacing outside the birthing den. He’s apparently pretty anxious to see them, and Marcella of course, too!

By: Sayuri

Sayuri — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:06:11 +0000

I can’t wait to meet these little ones.

Suzanne, I’ve read that Ueno Zoo’s black bear “Ku” (pronoused “koo”) was rconfirmed to be in hibernation again just before Christmas. Are you monitoring her this year too?