Polar Bear Cubs’ Gender Revealed at Nyíregyháza Zoo
Polar Bear Cubs Born in Nyíregyháza Zoo Undergo First Veterinary Examination
The Nyíregyháza Zoo in northeastern Hungary recently conducted the first veterinary examination on the polar bear cubs born last November. The two male cubs were found to be completely healthy and each weighed in at fourteen kilograms.
During the examination, the cubs were temporarily taken away from their mother, an eleven-year-old female named Snezhana. The mother bear responded by audibly roaring and pounding the cage in distress. The veterinarians quickly examined and vaccinated the cubs, determined their sex, and weighed them before returning them to their mother.
Snezhana, who arrived from the Moscow Zoo in 2017, was successfully mated last year with a male polar bear named Lloyd from Karlsruhe, Germany. The cubs were born on November 27, 2024, after Snezhana retreated to her cave at the end of November.
The birth and growth of the cubs were captured on camera, providing valuable insights for scientists working on the conservation of the species. Polar bear cubs are born very immature, with thin fur and underdeveloped senses, making the first three months crucial for their survival.
In the wild, newborn polar bears spend about three months in a snow cave under the care of their mother. During this time, the mother bear does not feed, relying on her fat reserves. The cubs born in the zoo also briefly emerged from the cave after three months.
Thanks to their mother’s rich milk, which contains 31 percent fat, the cubs grow rapidly. They are expected to stay with their mother for two years, learning the essentials of polar bear life.
Living in the Arctic, polar bears are skilled swimmers and hunters, primarily feeding on meat. However, their habitat is under threat due to global warming, leading to a decline in their population. The species is listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.
In the past year, six polar bear cubs have been born in zoos worldwide, contributing to conservation efforts for this iconic species.
