Two orphaned bears have been taken in by a Kansas zoo after their mother was shot and killed by a hunter.
Adorable photos show twin black bear cubs, a brother and sister, playing at the Sedgwick County Zoo, which announced the news Wednesday.
The bears, which arrived from Oregon, will be on display to the public starting Monday.
“Without the guidance of their mother, bear cubs face a multitude of dangers,” Chelsey Schartz, marketing manager for the Sedgwick County Zoo, told the local NBC affiliate. KSNW.
‘Weighing around eight pounds each, they lack the skills needed to hunt, fend for themselves and survive the harsh winters.’
Two orphaned bears arrived at a zoo in Kansas after their mother was shot and killed by a hunter
The Sedgwick County Zoo announced Wednesday that it had received a pair of twin 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 steps to rescue the bears. They then contacted the Sedgwick County Zoo, which was already on a waiting list for black bears in need of a new home.
The zoo had a perfect opportunity, as its previous resident, Mitch, had passed away from old age in December.
“When you walk by the habitat and Mitch isn’t there, you feel like a little sinking in your heart, but now when you walk by, there will be two pups,” Schartz said.
To ensure the cubs’ well-being during transport from Oregon to Wichita, the Sedgwick County Zoo enlisted the help of the Sheriff’s Office, which acquired a new aircraft last year.
The bears will be on display to the public starting Monday.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) took steps to rescue the bears. They then contacted the Sedgwick County Zoo, which was already on a waiting list for black bears in need of a new home.
The shorter travel time, now less than six hours, allowed zoo staff to continue feeding the cubs milk every two hours throughout the flight.
At first, it was difficult to get the two puppies on board the plane.
“Luckily, The Wildlife Safari in Oregon was more than happy to assist the Sedgwick County Zoo in obtaining two smaller kennels to fit a little more appropriately,” said SCSO Communications Coordinator Hannah Abou-Faissal.
Scott Newland, president and CEO of the Sedgwick County Zoo, said… The puppies are estimated to be between three and four months old and have been happily adjusting to their new home over the past few weeks.
To ensure their well-being, the bears will have brief, supervised appearances until they are old enough to be unsupervised.
To ensure the cubs’ well-being during transport from Oregon to Wichita, the Sedgwick County Zoo enlisted the help of the Sheriff’s Office, which acquired a new aircraft last year.
The shorter travel time, now less than six hours, allowed zoo staff to continue feeding the cubs milk every two hours throughout the flight.
“The bears are so small that we thought they might get into trouble if left alone on exhibit,” Newland said.
“Until they are old enough and know all the details of the exhibit, we will have staff with them during specific times each day so guests can come see them.”
The zoo is working with Oregon Fish and Wildlife to choose names that reflect the cubs’ birthplace.
The Sedgwick County Zoo website will post updates on when these yet-to-be-named cubs will make their public debut.