Bear cubs gets first check-up

A pair of orphaned grizzly bear cubs have been declared “very healthy and robust,” after receiving their first full physicals at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park last week.

And as it turns out, one of the two is much younger than previously thought.

Based on his size, weight, and teeth, veterinarian Dr. Allison Case believes the cub orphaned in Montana is approximately eight months old, as opposed to a year-and-a-half.

His “brother,” discovered near Nome, Alaska this spring, and cared for by the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage until recently, is about seven months old.

“We are thrilled to have these two healthy cubs at Northwest Trek,” said Northwest Trek Zoological Curator Marc Heinzman. “As orphans, they needed a home. And we were fortunate enough to be able to provide them one where they will receive excellent care and help us teach generations of our guests about grizzly bears and the challenges the species faces in the wild.”

No date has been set for the cubs to make their public debut, while their names are also to-be-determined. After keepers come up with a slate of options, members of the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite.

Northwest Trek is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Sept. 3. At closing time, the admission gates close, and the last tram leaves the tour station, but the park itself is open for another 90 minutes.

For more information, visit www.nwtrek.org.