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
-
Japan Court OKs Sex Change without Surgery
-
3 Climbers Die On Mt. Fuji Within 2 Days Of Opening; Japan Police, Guides Urge Climbers To Prepare Well, Make Wise Decisions
-
New Mt. Fuji Rules Reduce ‘Bullet Climbers’ by 90%; Access to Japan’s Iconic Peak Limited from Yamanashi Pref. Side
-
Sex Crime Perpetrators Linked to U.S. Military in 166 Cases in Japan over 35 years; Local, Prefectural Governments Often Not Aware of Crimes
-
Tokaido Shinkansen Trains Suspended Between Hamamatsu and Nagoya Due to Accident; Resuming Services Expected Noon at Earliest
JN ACCESS RANKING
- Aviation Fuel Shortage Causes Problems at Regional Airports; Growing Demand, Lack of Workers to Transport
- Prices of over 10,000 Food and Beverage Items to Rise This Year; Figure is down from over 30,000 Last Year
- Sony Group to End Production of Blu-ray Discs; Market Has Shrunk Due To Growth Of Hard Disk Drives, Streaming
- Japan Ministry Concerned Over Same-Sex Couple Receiving City-Issued Resident Certificates Referring to ‘Common-Law Husband’
- Japan Court OKs Sex Change without Surgery