Two black bear cubs orphaned in the Yukon are getting a second chance at the Calgary Zoo.
The bears lost their mother in mid-July when wildlife officers shot and killed her after she proved to be a nuisance bear in Whitehorse.
Attempts to relocate the bear and her cubs were unsuccessful, as the mother repeatedly returned to the neighbourhood to feast from garbage cans.
According to the Calgary Herald, the officers mistook the mother for a male, but when they realized a lactating female had been killed they found the cubs and sent the bruins to the Yukon Wildlife Preserve until a suitable home was found.
“We are delighted to receive these two black bear cubs and are optimistic that they will become good companions for our lone white black bear Manuka," said zoo curator Jamie Dorgan in a statement, referring to another problem bear that was relocated to the zoo earlier this year from Elkford, B.C.
Air North flew the cubs to Calgary last Friday.
They will remain in quarantine until their health status and needs can be assessed, said the zoo. Eventually, they will be used to educate zoo visitors about the dangers of animals who become habituated to humans.
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