Public debut without public for polar bear cubs at Dutch zoo
The Associated Press | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 4 months AGO
In this image released by Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen on Wednesday March 18, 2020, a pair of polar bear twins make their public debut at a Dutch zoo, without public because of coronavirus restrictions. The two youngsters cautiously ventured out of the maternity den at the Ouwehands Zoo on Wednesday morning, sticking close to their mother, called Freedom, as they explored their outdoor enclosure for the first time since they were born on Nov. 27. (Tonny Hoevers, Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen via AP)
In this image released by Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen on Wednesday March 18, 2020, a pair of polar bear twins make their public debut at a Dutch zoo, without public because of coronavirus restrictions. The two youngsters cautiously ventured out of the maternity den at the Ouwehands Zoo on Wednesday morning, sticking close to their mother, called Freedom, as they explored their outdoor enclosure for the first time since they were born on Nov. 27. (Tonny Hoevers, Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen via AP)
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A pair of twin polar bear cubs have made their public debut at a Dutch zoo -- but without the public because of coronavirus restrictions.
There was no sign of social distancing between the three-and-a-half-month-old cubs and their mother as they cautiously ventured out of the maternity den at the Ouwehands Zoo on Wednesday morning.
The twins stuck close to their mother, called Freedom, as they explored their outdoor enclosure for the first time since they were born on Nov. 27.
In video released by the zoo, Freedom kept a close eye on her cubs and gently licked the head of one as it suckled.
The cubs are the product of a European breeding program intended to help preserve the endangered species.
The gender of the cubs is not yet known. Once that is established, likely after they take their first swim, the zoo has two male names -- Yuku and Atlas -- and two female names -- Yura and Nova -- ready.
The Ouwehands Zoo in the central town of Rhenen has been forced to close its doors by a government ban, in force until at least April 6, on gatherings of more than 100 people.
MORE IMPORTED STORIES
Public debut without public for polar bear cubs at Dutch zoo
Bonner County Daily Bee | Updated 5 years, 4 months ago
Public debut without public for polar bear cubs at Dutch zoo
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 5 years, 4 months ago
Public debut without public for polar bear cubs at Dutch zoo
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 5 years, 4 months ago
ARTICLES BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Latest: US helped family escape Afghanistan overland
WASHINGTON — The United States is confirming for the first time that it has helped a U.S. citizen and family members to escape Afghanistan through an overland route to a neighboring country.
The Latest: US helped family escape Afghanistan overland
WASHINGTON — The United States is confirming for the first time that it has helped a U.S. citizen and family members to escape Afghanistan through an overland route to a neighboring country.
The Latest: Top Republican says Taliban holding Americans
WASHINGTON — The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee says some Americans who have been trying to get out of Afghanistan since the U.S. military left are sitting in airplanes at an airport ready to leave but the Taliban are not letting them take off.