Polar bear cub makes splash at Hokkaido zoo
18:17 JST, June 9, 2022
ASAHIKAWA, Hokkaido — A female polar bear cub on display at the Asahiyama Zoo in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, is quickly becoming the zoo’s star.
The cub, now about 6 months old and about 80 centimeters in length, is the first polar bear to be born through the zoo’s breeding program in 40 years.
“We were finally able to bring in a new generation,” said the zoo’s director Gen Bando, who has been working with other zoos and organizations nationwide on breeding polar bears.
The parents of the cub — born on Dec. 10, 2021 — are Hokuto, a 21-year-old male from Himeji City Zoo in Hyogo Prefecture, and Pirika, a 16-year-old female at Asahiyama Zoo.
The cub currently spends her days running and swimming in the Polar Bear Pavilion.
“I came to the zoo for the first time in a long time because I heard a cub was born,” said a 51-year-old woman from Asahikawa. “She’s so cute and active.”
In 1974, the Asahiyama Zoo became the first zoo in Japan to successfully breed polar bears and had bred five by 1981. The zoo established an organization to promote breeding in 2011.
"Society" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
-
U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
-
JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals
-
Cherry tree falls on man on Sanneizaka steps leading to famous Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
-
Earthquake in Western Japan a Reminder to Be Ready for the Big One; 14% of People Have Made No Preparations, Survey Says
JN ACCESS RANKING
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’
- JAL Airplane Experiences Radio Malfunction During Flight, Lands Safely By Relying on Light Signals