GRIZZLY CUBS NOW ON EXHIBIT AT THE BUFFALO ZOO!
Koda, Lou Lou and Dolly arrived at the Buffalo Zoo on June 9, 2011. Their transfer resulted from a request by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to hold the cubs in Buffalo while their permanent home at the Utah’s Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City is finished. The cubs are scheduled to stay at the Buffalo Zoo until Spring 2012.
All three cubs are siblings that were placed at ZooMontana after their mother was euthanized by wildlife officials for mauling three people at a campground in Cooke City, Montana in July 2010. DNA tests confirmed she was the bear that killed one man and injured two other campers while they slept in their tents. It is unknown as to why she attacked them, as confrontations between bears and humans usually occur when a bear feels threatened. The cubs were malnourished, and wildlife officials believe she was desperate to feed them.
Koda, Lou Lou and Dolly are now healthy two-year-old bears that weigh between 175 and 200 pounds. As per standard regulations regarding new animal arrivals, they were placed in quarantine for 30 days. Visitors can now see the playful cubs in the bear exhibit across from Sea Lion Cove.
The Buffalo Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. rain or shine. Please note that as the cubs continue to get accustomed to their new surroundings, they may sometimes be exploring their indoor den. We encourage our patrons to check back if they are unable to view the cubs earlier on during their visit.
