Astra and Laerke - twins separated at birth

Laerke, the hand raised cub at the Detroit Zoo.
Her twin sister Astra was raised by their mother.

 

Astra plays with part of a spool and a bone joint in the Icepack region.

Laerke juggles the other part of the spool, in the Tundra area.

Twins Astra and Laerke will be two years old in two weeks. They share the same parents, and the same birthday. But these little girl cubs have lived separate and  parallel lives from almost the beginning.

Astra far away, and twin sister Laerke, closer. In October 2021.
They are separated by a moat.

They were born November 17, 2020, to parents Suka and Nuka in the Arctic Ring of Life of the Detroit Zoo. Suka had given birth during several previous seasons, but the cubs had been stillborn or short-lived. As the new mother was being watched via dencam, keepers could see that one of the cubs was struggling, and soon was nearly lifeless, so they intervened and took Laerke away for emergency medical help. 

So it happened that Astra was raised by her mother, and Laerke was bottle-fed and raised by humans. 

Astra and Laerke were the only cubs born in USA zoos in 2020, and no cubs have been born since, so they are the youngest polar bears in the USA.

In the spring of 2021, visitors to the zoo could see little cub Astra romping around the meadow with her mother Suka, while Laerke remained behind the scenes, a mysterious hidden cub. Later in the summer, Astra was introduced to the big saltwater pool, during which time father Nuka was rotated through whichever half of the habitat Suka and Astra were not occupying. 

Suka swimming with her cub Astra last year.

The Detroit Zoo has an amazing saltwater pool, with a viewing tunnel for visitors. Here are Suka and Astra last year.

Mother Suka has taught her daughter Astra through swimming and playing with her.  Laerke has had to learn on her own.

Mother Suka and daughter Astra play underwater games last year.

The underwater viewing tunnel is an astounding way
to experience the bears. Here are Astra and Suka.

Visitors get a unique close up view of the polar bears from the underwater tunnel.

Suka and Astra chasing underwater last year.

During those months, Laerke came out to play only after the zoo closed, and the public never saw her, except in a few tantalizing photos. 

Astra gained weight at a proper rate, but Laerke always lagged behind. As they approached their first birthday, Astra weighed 200 pounds, double that of her little sister. 

During those spring and  summer months, Astra was playing with her mom, learning social skills, swimming skills and more, learning how to be a bear. 

A scene from about a year ago, Astra, across the dividing moat, watches grizzly cub Jebbie and her sister Laerke,
maybe wanting to join in the fun.

Laerke on the left, her mother Suka on the right. While they are curious about each other, Suka does not realize that Laerke is her cub, and would feel that she had to defend Astra from the strange cub.
Photo from fall, 2021.

Laerke was doing well with her human caretakers, but needed a bear companion so she could learn the social skills of how to be a bear.  The zoo searched for such a cub, and a little grizzly bear boy named Jebbie, who had been found abandoned in Alaska, was brought to the Detroit Zoo as a companion for Laerke. This way both bears, Laerke and Jebbie the grizzly cub, could benefit by playing and interacting with another bear.

Jebbie and Laerke, last year.

The arrangement worked out very well, and the cubs played together for many months of important development, first behind the scenes, and then in October, the public could see Jebbie and Laerke play together in the tundra area for short periods, for Laerke had her limits, and would tire after an hour of hard play. Both cubs delighted in having a playmate, and benefited greatly from the friendship.

Laerke and Jebbie, in October of 2021.

Jebbie, being a grizzly and a land animal, would tend to stay on shore, and Laerke spent more time in the water, but these two were never far from each other.

Father Nuka in the Tundra area of the Detroit Zoo,
before his move to nearby Toledo.

To give Suka, her cubs and Jebbie more time to play outside, father Nuka moved to the Toledo Zoo, where he remains at this time, living with Suka's mother Crystal.

Laerke and Jebbie racing around in October of 2021.

The pairing of the polar and grizzly cubs worked well for most of a year, but Jebbie grew much faster than Laerke, and he also has some very long claws. Late this past summer, the keepers saw that Jebbie had outgrown the friendship. For safety reasons, the two cubs were separated, although they were still near each other in the bedroom area. In the fall, Jebbie was moved across the road to the grizzly bear area, where he had a small enclosure all to himself, while he awaited his big move. Jebbie is now in a huge wildlife sanctuary in Colorado, where has plenty of natural space, and he is reported to be doing very well there.  

Laerke chomps on a carrot, in September 2022.

Looking like she's playing a musical instrument, this is Laerke.

She is playing alone these days,  but Laerke is still having lots of fun. 

Showing her strength, Laerke plays.

Fluffy Laerke. The cubs had picked up lots of burrs in the Tundra area, so gardeners came in and cut those plants down.

So now Laerke is an "only child" again, but she is very good at entertaining herself with swimming in the big pool and tossing around toys. 

Astra with her mother Suka

Laerke with Keeper Rick. She keeps her eyes on him.

Keeper Rick throwing some snacks to Astra and Suka
 in the Ice Pack region of the Arctic Ring of Life.

Laerke has a real bond with her keepers, and likes to be near them, even when she is out in the enclosure. She needs this emotional support, just as Astra gets attention from her mother.

Laerke is drawn to the youngsters at the viewing window.

Laerke also loves the attention from the visitors, especially the children.

Laerke swimming to and fro.

Laerke still weighs a lot less than her sister. Astra now weighs about 500 pounds, and her little sister Laerke weighs 297. Their mom Suka weighs in at about 750 pounds. 

Laerke plays through the glass with a young visitor.

Laerke shows off her swimming skills.

A youngster is captivated by Laerke. 

Astra is stronger than her sister and has better coordination. Laerke got off to a rocky start, and she is still playing catch up. She has a strong spirit and plenty of determination, though.

Astra on the bottom, plays with a ring,
 as mother Suka tries to steal it.

Astra is strong and can lift the ring every which way.

Seal tricks from Astra.

Look Mom! Astra shows off for her mother Suka.

Laerke, the weaker twin playing by herself,
struggles to lift the ring, but still has fun with it.

Laerke frames herself with a fun toy,
 one that Jebbie liked to play with too.

The girls are approaching their second birthday, to be celebrated on November 17. The plan, as I understand it, is that when Astra is weaned and separated from Suka, the girls may very well be reunited, and Laerke will again have a playmate.

Astra and Suka, sometimes together, often apart these days.

Mother Suka is gradually distancing herself from Astra, preparing for weaning, but right now, there is still some nursing going on.

It is the way of polar bear world that cubs leave to start life on their own at about the age of two in the wild. Then father Nuka can return from Toledo, and be reunited with Suka. 

Astra swimming in the viewing tunnel area.
 She can swim and play all day.

Laerke swims well enough, but she doesn't have the stamina of her sister, and she wants to go back inside after swimming for an hour.

Laerke is still a lot smaller than her sister, so reuniting the two may be put off for awhile.

This is pure speculation, but I hear that Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma Washington, after the death of elderly bears Boris and Blizzard, is redoing its polar bear habitat, and will be home to some polar bears in 2023. Maybe that is where the twins will end up. 

A unique friendship in Detroit

Laerke and Jebbie

The Arctic Ring of Life at the heart of the Detroit Zoo is home to a most unusual polar bear family these days. 

 

Laerke in the pool, Jebbie on shore.

It is an amazing sight you will not see anywhere else, a polar bear cub happily cavorting with a young grizzly. When the Detroit Zoo announced it had found a suitable companion for the handraised polar bear cub Laerke (pronounced Lyraca), the world took notice. This unusual pair has won hearts everywhere.

Mother Suka and cub Astra in early August, in the Tundra section.

Throughout the spring and summer, Mother Suka and daughter Astra enjoyed the rolling hills and wildflowers of the Tundra area, while Papa Nuka occupied the Pack Ice area, often watching Suka and Astra from across the moat.

Laerke

During this time, the mystery cub Laerke was not seen by the public. The small cub had been nearly lifeless two days after her birth last November, when she was whisked away to the zoo hospital for special care. The zoo hoped to locate another bear her age who was alone, maybe an orphan, so Laerke could develop bear social skills.

Astra and Suka

Astra plays with her mom in the big pool.

In August, keepers determined that Astra, weighing a hundred pounds more than her twin, was old enough to swim in the deep pool of the the Pack Ice section. Papa Nuka would spend his days in the Tundra meadow. Laerke remained inside, but by this time she had a furry companion.

Jebbie the Grizzly cub

In June, grizzly bear cub Jebbie had been found wandering alone in an Alaskan village. The local people gave him this name, maybe named after the character in the children's tv show "Littlest Pet Shop." At just 76 pounds, he was too young to survive on his own, so he was taken to the Alaska Zoo for medical care  and recovery from his ordeal. Keepers from the Detroit Zoo flew to Alaska to bring Jebbie to his new home at the Arctic Ring of Life, one of the best polar bear habitats in the world, where Laerke was waiting.

Jebbie

Jebbie, a Grizzly bear, is an omnivore.

After a suitable quarantine period for Jebbie, the two cubs were gradually and carefully introduced. Laerke's caretaker observed that Jebbie must have had siblings, for he knew how to play like a bear cub right away, but Laerke did not, and Jebbie had to teach her. The two shared toys, swam in the indoor pool, and created a bond. 

Side by side. Jebbie is almost 60 pounds heavier.

Laerke and Jebbie

In late September, at long last, 10 month old Laerke was introduced to the public along with her companion Jebbie, in the Tundra area, which has a small freshwater pool. 

Suka and Astra in the saltwater pool in the Pack Ice section.

Astra destroys a ball in the pack ice section.

These days Mama Suka and Laerke's twin sister dive and  chase each other through the vast saltwater pool, while visitors gaze in wonder from the underwater viewing tunnel.

Gentle Papa Nuka in the Tundra meadow,
 doesn't mind the peacocks nearby.
The two cubs cannot come out until Papa Nuka comes in.

In the late afternoon, Papa Nuka wanders around the Tundra, often napping in the sun. Sometimes his mate Suka stands across the way and they send secret messages. 

When the keepers call Nuka to come inside in the morning, then the seemingly mismatched playmates can come out, a polar bear cub and a grizzly. And that is when things get really exciting. These two can play all day. They chase, wrestle, tumble around, run after peacocks, just have the most amazing fun together. They wear each other out.

Astra watches with envy at all the fun being had at the party next door.

Jebbie is interested in Astra, would like her to come play too.

Astra, way over there, is dirty after playing by herself in the mulch pile. 

Sometimes Mother Suka and Laerka's twin sister Astra watch the two cubs play from across the moat dividing the two areas, and Astra looks a little jealous, for there is this fun party going on in the Tundra area, and she's not invited.

Suka and Astra watch the action of the neighbors..

As for Suka, she likely does not recognize that Laerke is her missing cub.

Twin sisters and strangers. Astra far, Laerke close.

Jebbie and Laerke are being watched by Astra.

There are no plans to introduce Laerke and Jebbie to the Pack Ice area, for Grizzly bears are not marine animals, and Laerke needs supervision.

Jebbie follows, Laerke takes the lead.

He goes wherever she goes.

Jebbie is all wet,

Inseparable.

Poolside. Maybe finding some carrots.

Yep, there's a carrot!

Laerke's latest weight is 160 pounds, and Jebbie is gaining faster, now at 208 pounds. Still, they seem well matched. I noticed that Laerke is usually the leader, and Jebbie follows.  They love to wrestle, and sometimes Jebbie chases Laerke. She just jumps into the water then, and Jebbie circles the edge of the pool, for he doesn't want to get his head wet. He will go into the pool, but usually doesn't stay long.

They are very well matched,
 even though Jebbie now has the weight advantage.

Happy together.

Jebbie loves to play with his friend, but he is very good at entertaining himself too, rolling on his back and playing with his toes is a favorite game.

Jebbie is fascinated by his paw. His claws are much longer.

For Laerke, who sees her primary keeper as a parent, it has been hard to grow up. Physical contact without barriers ended at seven months for safety reasons, but she still relies on him, crying sometimes if she can't see him, and brightening up when she spots Rick. 

Laerke spots Rick, her "daddy" probably coming with a bucket of treats.

Jebbie, who didn't bond with humans as an infant, is much more independent. He is happy to get the toys and the food, but would rather play with Laerke or just be off on his own.

Laerke is usually the bear in the lead, as they march around the meadow. Jebbie follows close behind.

Horseplay, bear style. Laerke was standing on the side of the pool, and Jebbie pushed her in!

The two cubs are put in separate bedrooms when it is time to rest, because Jebbie would just keep going, keep wanting to play, and no one would get any sleep.

Nuka foams up when he eats carrots, probably because he is missing part of his tongue. Laerke looks like her papa.

Visitors to the Arctic Ring of Life may or may not see the dynamic duo, because Nuka is given the Tundra area at night, and he doesn't always want to return to the bedroom area in the morning. I visited for two days, and didn't see Jebbie and Laerke until the second day because Nuka wanted to nap in the sun all day on my first day.

Play ball.
Here's Jebbie in the pool, but he keeps his ears dry.

These cubs may both be bears, with much in common, but grizzly bears are omnivores and land mammals, while polar bears are carnivores and marine mammals. Jebbie has very long claws, compared to a polar bear, and grizzly bears are more destructive to their environment (toys). Jebbie jabbed his claws into the weighing scale and broke it, so now they have to get a new scale. 

Carrots for all.

Jebbie and Laerke get the same kind of diet, but Jebbie gets a lot more fruits and vegetables and Laerke gets more fish and meat. They still get formula, not in a bottle anymore, but in a pan. Laerke's formula has some additional nutrients like salmon oil for marine mammals.

Jebbie likes fish too, but not as much as Laerke, who is a carnivore.

During my visit, all the bears got their favorite treat, carrots. Jebbie got some romaine lettuce. Jebbie and Laerke were given fish. This time of year, they get pumpkins too.

Grizzly bear males are always neutered when in zoos, for breeding is not allowed. All zoo grizzly situations are reserved for rescued bears. 

Polar bears, on the other hand, are encouraged to breed. This past year, the only polar bear cubs born in a U.S. zoo were Suka and Nuka's twins. Last year, there was just one, Kulu in Columbus, now in the Como Zoo in St. Paul.

What is ahead for these two? No one knows how long they will be able to stay together, hopefully a long time.  The Detroit Zoo is home to grizzly triplet brothers, but they are ten years old and probably wouldn't accept an intruder. 

A bear hug from a friend.

But for now, these two are happy to have a friend to play with, to learn from, and to love.

As usual, Laerke leads the way.