Shortly after the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s official opening of the North America Trek, the region is already home to new inhabitants.
Two black bear cubs from Montana are the newest additions to the $40 million region.
Their names have yet to be announced, but the Columbus Zoo shared the journey of the two sisters on its website.
The cubs were brought into the care of the zoo after their mother was euthanized for being labeled a public safety threat.
With a healthy diet, enriching activities and behavioral training, the sisters have gained 18 pounds since being taken in and are preparing to be introduced to Stevie, the zoo’s longtime black bear resident.
Black bears, or Ursus americanus, are not native to Ohio, but they are considered an endangered species in the state due to unregulated hunting and deforestation.
Recently, wild black bear sightings have seen an uptick across Ohio. The Columbus Zoo encourages those who spot a black bear to report sightings through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) website or a local wildlife office.
Trending features reporter Amani Bayo can be reached at abayo@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Zoo welcomes black bear cubs to North America Trek region
Reporting by Amani Bayo, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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