Bear News – October 9th 2026

10/09/2026 Bears News- by Senior Bear Keeper Sharon

Koda & Jasper’s 1st Two Weeks at the Center, and Lucky, Holly, Tasha Update

Staff reactions, and how our adult ambassador bears are responding. 

First things first, Koda and Jasper have been doing great. They are responding well to; the staff care procedures, crate training, and learning their names. Both bears eagerly investigate new enrichments, different foods, and new objects placed in their enclosure. The staff have been taking turns feeding and getting to know personalities. Jasper is more food motivated of the two, and is quickly learning the staff’s food prepping and feeding plan. Koda is less food motivated and more focused on investigating his surroundings. He spends a lot of time up on the treetops watching the other bears pass by. We have had volunteers helping to provide care for not only the cubs, but also the adult bears. The impact of the cubs has been so warming. I want to thank all of you for helping us make their new home welcoming and enjoyable. I’d like to thank all of our awesome staff for the pictures they take and for me to use. Our goals remain the same for this week. Getting the cubs to learn their names and little feet on the ground and not on the fence when feeding. At this writing, the cubs seem to be responding to their names. Jasper learned first and Koda second. Play behaviors constitute a large chunk of Koda and Jasper’s daily behaviors. Play isn’t just an avenue for entertainment as we watch them here at the center. Play is a teaching tool. It most likely began for Koda and Jasper, in their winter den with their mother where she likely initiated play behaviors. You can regularly see these behaviors on our live cams at bear.org. Play wrestling helps a cub build strength, coordination, and balance. It also helps them burn energy, develop long lasting curiosity, evaluate risk, and develop coping skills. Combine all of these things and in the bigger picture, it’s teaching them how to survive as an adult bear.

Let’s talk about how the adult bears are associating themselves with the cubs. Holly has been spending much of her day in Den 3. She is still eating and making short visits to the viewing area. She pays little attention to the cubs. I have seen her look at them but only a quick look and then she’s all about her own business, which is getting back to the den.

Tasha has recently been seen coming out of the rock den. Will this be her choice of den? She spends much of her day watching the cubs. Occasionally she has bluffed charge and huffed at or towards the cubs, but these behaviors seem to be motivated by food as when Tasha exhibits these behaviors most commonly when the cubs are being fed and she is not. However, there is harmony too. When she is peacefully sitting by the main gate, they remain calm too.

Lucky continues to show interest in the cubs. He watches them not only from his den but also through the brush and from the mound area. He has bluff‑charged twice, signaling that he is very aware of their presence and is processing the changes in his environment. A small behavioral note from earlier this week; Lucky approached Macy with his familiar pouty expression. She spoke to him, and we offered attention and a treat. Apparently, he felt this was insufficient. He walked up the mound, turned, and struck a small bush—an unmistakable display of his opinion on the matter.

Thank you for all you do. The bears are especially thankful for all your generosity though they couldn’t tell you that themselves. 

Sharon Herrell, Sr. Bear Keeper