AssetID: 53228081
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Orphaned Brother And Sister Bear Cubs Find Sweet Home In Chicago
Caption: Two orphaned Alaskan coastal brown bear cubs, orphaned in Anchorage at approximately 10 months old, have found a permanent home at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Officials from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) safely retrieved the bears in Anchorage and reached out to Brookfield Zoo to provide a lasting home for the brother and sister cubs. The young bears were temporarily housed at Alaska Zoo while arrangements were made for their transportation to Chicago. On 3 November 2023, animal care specialists from Brookfield Zoo, assisted by FedEx's extreme generosity, accompanied the cubs, each weighing around 150 pounds, to Chicago. The bears underwent physical examinations early last week to ensure they were meeting growth milestones. The veterinary staff at the zoo conducted blood work, examined the cubs' extremities and oral cavities, and administered routine vaccinations. The cubs will stay behind the scenes until the lab results are available. Although the bears are expected to make their public debut soon, they are currently adjusting to their new environment under the care of the zoo's staff. Mark Wanner, director of carnivore/small mammal care and conservation at Brookfield Zoo, expressed, “We are happy to be able to provide the bear cubs a home, where they will receive the best possible care, although the situation is bittersweet.” Coastal brown bears, like the two cubs at Brookfield Zoo, inhabit most of Alaska, excluding certain islands. They have access to coastal food sources such as fish. In contrast, brown bears living further inland, without access to marine prey, are referred to as grizzlies, considered a subspecies. Generally larger than grizzlies, brown bears can weigh up to 1,500 pounds (females weigh less). While the global brown bear population is around 200,000, the species is listed as "least concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ (IUCN) Red List. In Alaska, where approximately 30,000 bears reside, they face threats of habitat loss due to development, mining, logging, and hunting. Additionally, bears are increasingly coming into conflict with humans, attracted to garbage and food left out for pets and wildlife, resulting in lethal removals from populated areas.
Keywords: brown bears,bears,animals,brookfield zoo,nature,natural world,photo,vide,feature
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