Brookfield Zoo is home to several brown bears, including two Alaskan coastal brown bear cubs named Tim and Jess, who were orphaned in Anchorage and arrived at the zoo in November. These majestic creatures offer visitors a unique opportunity to learn about their characteristics, habitat, and conservation status.

Alaskan Coastal Brown Bear Cubs: Tim and Jess

The two Alaskan coastal brown bear cubs, Tim and Jess, are approximately 11 months old and weighed around 150 pounds when they arrived at Brookfield Zoo. These cubs were orphaned in Anchorage, Alaska, and were temporarily housed at the Alaska Zoo before being transported to their new home at Brookfield Zoo.

Visitors can see the cubs in their outdoor habitat at the Great Bear Wilderness between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, with hours expected to be extended as they become more acclimated to their new environment. The bears have received physical examinations and have been getting familiar with their surroundings and the animal care staff behind the scenes before their public debut.

Brown Bear Characteristics

Brown bears, also known as Alaskan or grizzly bears, are impressive animals with a range of physical characteristics. They can weigh between 180 and 1,320 pounds, with males potentially being 20 to 100 percent larger than females. Their coloration varies from cream to almost black, and they have a prominent shoulder hump, a snout that rises abruptly on the forehead, shaggy fur, long front claws, and a face with a slightly dished profile.

These bears have an excellent sense of smell, fairly good hearing, and vision comparable to humans, which helps them navigate their environment and hunt for food.

Other Brown Bears at Brookfield Zoo

In addition to the two Alaskan coastal brown bear cubs, Brookfield Zoo is also home to Axhi, a 28-year-old brown bear who was orphaned in 1995 and found a forever home at the zoo. Sadly, Axhi’s brother passed away last year.

Conservation Status

The overall global brown bear population is around 200,000, and they are listed as “least concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ (IUCN) Red List. However, the Alaskan population, which is approximately 30,000 bears, faces threats of habitat loss due to development, mining, logging, and hunting, leading to conflicts with humans.

Visiting Brookfield Zoo

If you’re interested in seeing the Alaskan coastal brown bear cubs and other brown bears at Brookfield Zoo, the zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (April 1 to September 30) and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (October 1 to March 31). Admission prices vary depending on the season and residency, so be sure to check the Brookfield Zoo website for current pricing information.

References:
– https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/Orphaned-Brown-Bears-have-a-Forever-Home-at-Brookfield-Zoo
– https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/brownbear
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgD9yUDl6LA
– https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/rescued-bear-cubs-brookfield-zoo-debut/
– https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/Brown-Bear-Cubs-Make-Their-Public-Debut-at-Brookfield-Zoo