Baby bear 5th July 2017

I knew I had a chance with this little guy, as one or two photos have appeared on Facebook this week, so I took my long lens and monopod to the zoo. (S)he was only visible early in the day, and even so (s)he was hard to see through the leaves. But I think this image was worth the effort.
I think this may be the first bear cub at Chester since the Kamchatka bear cubs in late '60s - if I'm wrong, bongorob will correct me

The last bears born at Chester were a male and a female brown bear in 1985.

The zoo has bred Asian Black, Brown, Kamchatka and Spectacled, plus hybrid Kamchatka x Syrian.

The zoo always referred to the Kamchatkas as Ursus arctos collairs, and from the few photos I've seen they did resemble Russian Bears.

@bongorob I stand corrected

I have my uses.

@bongorob
BTW, I saw five (5) bongos today. They were quite skittish in their new paddock.

How could I forget, Chester also bred Polar bears, the zoo has 0.5 bongos.

@bongorob

Did Chester ever have Spectacled Bears before this exhibit was created. I am thinking no?

No they did not have spectacled bears until two males arrived in 2003.

@gentle lemur Excellent... good spot and photo!

@SMR Thank you. It was a bit hit-and-miss shooting through the foliage - this image is heavily cropped. Visitors would see the cub much better if the keepers could do a little pruning of the shrubs in front of the dead tree(s) that it likes to climb. I don't think it will be visible when it is on the ground until the fence is moved closer to the moat.