Bad news and good news....

The bad news first...

Two polar bear cubs fail to survive their precarious first moments in Aalborg ZooHere is Malik, a female of nearly 9 years in Aalborg. She gave birth for the first time to two tiny cubs on November 29, which you can see here."Everything seemed to be in order. Malik, the mother, was taking good care of her polar bear cubs. They appeared to be suckling normally.

The third day is considered the most critical for polar bear cubs, and unfortunately this was again proven to be true in Aalborg Zoo.Yesterday morning the zookeepers discovered that the cubs seemed to be weak and decided to remove them from their mother to nourish them.

The cubs were dangerously cold and were placed under a heat lamp in a preheated room, where the zookeepers bottle fed them.The plan hinged on recovering their strength before returning them to their mother again. Regrettably, the cubs were so malnourished they died only a few hours later. Aalborg Zoo says evidence indicates that the mother was not releasing milk so the cubs were starving even though they were suckling."

The Good news now...
Polar bears born also at Zoo Sauvage St. Félicien in Canada!

This is Aisaqvaq, a young female of 6 years at Zoo Sauvage St.Félicien. She too gave birth of polar bear twins, just one day later than Malik on November 30. Here the zoo release:
"Polar bears are born!

Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien recorded a major first in Canada this week—one that few zoos anywhere in the world have had the chance to experience—when one of its residents, a female polar bear named Aisaqvaq, gave birth to two cubs on Monday, November 30, 2009. The first cub was born at 7:48 p.m. and the second followed at 10:22 p.m.

Aisaqvaq gave birth to a cub on December 3, 2008, but then ate it, to the extreme disappointment of Zoo employees. This time, however, things are going well. Aisaqvaq is exhibiting good maternal behavior and doing an outstanding job caring for her little ones, who are quick to vocalize if they’re at all uncomfortable.

A den was designed specifically for birthing and while the first cub was born outside it, Aisaqvaq quickly brought him into its confines. The second cub was born in the den and all three have since remained within it, making it impossible to find out whether the cubs are male or female.

Captivating videos of the births of polar bear cubs and of the female caring for her young have been caught."

We are very sad for Malik who was very careful and tender with them.She would certainly have been a wonderful mother. Let's cross the fingers for her that she will be able to have another chance. Concerning Aisaqvaq's twins we really hope that they will be strong enough to make it. So good luck for both polar bear ladies and the Canadian twins!

Photo credits & source:
- St.Fèlicien: Aisaqvaq by André C on flickr & article: Zoo Sauvage St.Félicien

- Aalborg: Malik by Sussi Kober, & article: Aalborg zoo lose new cubs/Copenhagen Post.12.2009