Zoo Miami is relishing in the arrival of new life with the birth of two sloth bear cubs, a species seen as vulnerable to threats like poaching and the destruction of their natural habitats. As reported by WSVN, the cubs were born earlier yesterday to Kematee, a 4-year-old sloth bear, making this her first dance with motherhood.
The cubs came into the world with the first one at about 4 a.m., quickly followed by its sibling at around 9:30 a.m. The father, Hank, age 11, is also a rookie when it comes to offspring. These newborn female cubs were found to quickly be in good health during a neonatal examination this week, tipping the scales between 2 and 3 pounds each. Kematee and her cubs will stay in a secluded den in order to give her the space to properly care for her cubs with minimum disruptions.
With the habitat of sloth bears stretching from the Indian subcontinent's moist to dry forests, they primarily sustain themselves on a diet of fruit and insects, with termites being a substantial part of their menu. Their dental structure, including a gap in their front teeth, gives a helping hand in sucking up insects efficiently—a nature-designed vacuum cleaner if there ever was one.
The interesting thing about sloth bears is their long, shaggy fur that, despite looking like it could quickly lead to overheating, actually helps to keep them cool in the balmy climates where they reside. The absence of an undercoat also means protection against insect bites is built in. The noteworthy births are a highlight for Zoo Miami, marking a breakthrough as the first for the species at the facility since 1998, giving a boost to conservation efforts.
Those eager to catch a glimpse of Miami's newest furballs will have to wait a little while longer. Zoo visitors should be able to see the new bear family venturing into their outdoor habitat after zookeepers have deemed it safe for introduction—it's likely to happen in the next few weeks. Until then, the focus is on fostering a solid mother-cub bond behind the scenes.
