News and Stories

7-month-old females getting acclimated behind the scenes in Bear Ridge 

CINCINNATI, OH (September 29, 2025) – Two orphaned black bear cubs, deemed unreleasable by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks(FWP) arrived at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden last week. The seven-month-old females are being cared for behind the scenes of the new Bear Ridge until they’re ready to explore their outdoor habitat.

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“The Montana FWP works hard to promote coexistence with bears to minimize conflict and keep both humans and bears safe,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s curator of mammals Kim Scott. “The goal is to avoid situations that result in orphaned bears, but that does happen in healthy wild bear populations and the orphans need homes. The FWP reached out to us last week, knowing that we had just completed construction on Bear Ridge, to ask if we could provide a home for these cubs.” 

The North America keeper team sprang into action and traveled to Montana to bring the cubs back to Cincinnati. With help from DHL, the cubs were transported to Cincinnati Zoo days later.  They arrived in Bear Ridge early in the morning on September 17 and have been getting acclimated to the indoor habitat and getting to know their new caregivers.  They are also receiving full health checks and from the Zoo’s vet staff. 

“The team is already crazy about these bears,” said Scott. “We’re going to provide a great home for them and also hope to inspire guests with the uniqueness of a species that can be found right here in North America.” 

Many of the stories that will be told in Bear Ridge, through signage, activities, and in-person interpretation, will focus on stewardship and interconnectedness between humans and nature and celebrate North American species and landscapes. 

In addition to providing homes for these orphaned bears, Cincinnati Zoo is playing an active role in recovery efforts for other North American species including manatees, Mexican wolves, American Burying Beetles, ocelots, and box turtles.

The cubs, yet to be named, will be introduced to the outdoor spaces in Bear Ridge in the next few weeks.  Look for an announcement when the Zoo has a specific date when the public can see them.