Two images taken of the same bear, in the same tree, with same camera & 500mm lens, from the same position. The first image was taken on July 5th (and has been posted here before), the second was taken on August 9th, exactly 5 weeks later. The differences are due to the weather, the time of day (later for the second one) and the pruning of shrubs to make the bears easier to see - and of course to the rapid growth of the cub. It still climbs well, but it is slowing down and being a bit more cautious as it gets heavier.
It's so frustrating not being able to get close to the little tyke.
I've just posted a 32mm shot from Cerza for comparison. You could almost stroke their cub, if mum was held back
In retrospect, I think the zoo staff will wish that the enclosure had been designed differently. Apparently they tried allowing the mother and cub to come up to the moat last weekend, but the cub went into the water and the female had to retrieve it and the male was trying to get through the electric fence. I don't think they will repeat that for a while. The new sun bear enclosure is designed very differently, if they ever have cubs (touches wood) viewing will be much easier.
