PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Zoo in Portland says an orphaned black bear from Montana has a new home at the zoo and so far his introductions to the zoo’s other three black bears have gone well.
Zoo director Kim Smith calls the bear named Takoda “a terrific addition.” He’ll now be visible to zoogoers in the exhibit yard.
A Montana rancher discovered the cub. Thinking the bear’s mother was near, the rancher left the area. But he found the lone cub again and contacted Montana wildlife officials.
They determined the cub was hungry and dehydrated. Initially weighing less than 3 pounds, he was nursed back to health at a local wildlife center. He was later introduced to other cubs but didn’t appear to understand he was a bear so Takoda was transferred to the zoo in late November.
He now weighs about 150 pounds.
