Gorgeous orphaned bears taken in by Kansas zoo after their mother was shot dead by a hunter
Two orphaned bears have been taken into care at a Kansas zoo after their mother was shot and killed by a hunter.
Adorable photos show the two black bear cubs — a brother and sister — playing at the Sedgwick County Zoo, the zoo announced on Wednesday.
The bears, which come from Oregon, can be viewed in the exhibition from Monday.
“Without the guidance of their mother, bear cubs are exposed to a multitude of dangers,” Chelsey Schartz, marketing manager for the Sedgwick County Zoo, told local NBC affiliate KSNW.
‘They weigh about four kilos each and lack the skills to hunt, fend for themselves and survive the harsh winters.’
Two orphaned bears arrived at a Kansas zoo after their mother was shot and killed by a hunter
The Sedgwick County Zoo announced Wednesday that it has received a pair of black bear cubs, a brother and sister, from Oregon after their mother was shot and killed.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) took action to rescue the bears. They then contacted the Sedgwick County Zoo, which was already on the waiting list to accept black bears in need of a new home.
The zoo was presented with a golden opportunity, as their previous resident, Mitch, passed away in December from old age.
“If you walk by the enclosure and Mitch isn’t there, you feel a pang in your heart. But now, if you walk by, you’ll notice there are two cubs,” Schartz said.
To ensure the cubs’ welfare during the transport from Oregon to Wichita, the Sedgwick County Zoo enlisted the help of the sheriff’s office, which purchased a new plane last year.
The bears can be viewed in the exhibition from Monday
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) took action to rescue the bears. They then contacted the Sedgwick County Zoo, which was already on the waiting list to accept black bears in need of a new home.
The travel time was shorter, now less than six hours, allowing zoo staff to continue feeding the cubs milk every two hours during the flight.
In the beginning it was quite a job to get the two cubs into the plane.
“Thankfully, The Wildlife Safari in Oregon was more than happy to assist the Sedgwick County Zoo with building two smaller kennels to better accommodate them,” said Hannah Abou-Faissal, SCSO communications coordinator.
Scott Newland, the president and CEO of the Sedgwick County Zoo, was saddened that he The cubs are estimated to be between three and four months old and have been very happy in their new home over the past few weeks.
To ensure their well-being, the bears appear under supervision for short periods of time until they are old enough to live unsupervised.
To ensure the cubs’ welfare during the transport from Oregon to Wichita, the Sedgwick County Zoo enlisted the help of the sheriff’s office, which purchased a new plane last year
The shorter travel time, now less than six hours, allowed zoo staff to continue feeding the cubs milk every two hours during the flight
“The bears are so small that they could get into trouble if we left them alone,” Newland said.
‘Until they are big enough and know everything about the exhibit, we have staff with them at specific times of the day so guests can come and see them.’
The zoo is working with Oregon Fish and Wildlife to choose names that reflect the cubs’ birthplaces.
Updates will be posted on the Sedgwick County Zoo website as to when these as-yet-unnamed animals will make their public debut.