Photo provided by the Detroit Zoo
Detroit Zoo polar bear cubs enjoy first foray into outdoor habitat
Astra, a 5-month-old female polar bear cub, interacts with her habitat alongside her mother, Suka, 8.
Photo provided by the Detroit Zoo
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ROYAL OAK Born Nov. 15 to female polar bear Suka, 8, Detroit Zoo officials report that the now 5-month-old twin female polar bear cubs are thriving and recently ventured from their indoor settings to the grassy area of the Arctic Ring of Life habitat.
In an unusual turn of events, Astra a Norwegian name meaning “star” is being reared by Suka, and Laerke a Danish name meaning “lark” is being reared by zoo staff after she required additional veterinary attention the day after her birth.
2 polar bear cubs born, raised at Detroit Zoo for first time in years
Spoiler alert: They are unbearably cute
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The Detroit Zoo welcomes its first two, successfully bred polar bear cubs since 2004. The cubs, unnamed as of Jan. 28, were born on Nov. 17, 2020 to 8-year-old mother Suka. Photos provided by the Detroit Zoological Society. (Detroit Zoological Society)
ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit Zoo is currently in pawsession of two adorable baby polar bears.
For the first time in nearly two decades, polar bear cubs were born and are being successfully raised at the Detroit Zoo. On Nov. 17, 2020, officials say 8-year-old mother Suka gave birth to two polar bear cubs who are now being raised at the zoo one by Suka, and the other by staff.
Two Polar Bear Cubs Born at the Detroit Zoo
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Detroit Zoo - Two polar bear cubs were born at the Detroit Zoo on November 17, 2020, to 8-year-old mother Suka, and 16-year-old father, Nuka.
The cubs, who have not been named yet, are the first polar bears to be born and successfully raised at the Detroit Zoo since 2004.
The cubs were born in a specially-designed, private maternity den away from the other bears. It is equipped with infrared video cameras that allow staff to monitor the mother and cubs without disturbing them. On November 19, it was observed that one of the cubs was becoming inactive and appeared to be weak. The staff allowed Suka out of the den so that the weak cub could be retrieved.