Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo has welcomed two new residents - Ash and Lexi, two female brown bears that have been living in captivity for several years. The aunt and niece duo made their debut on Monday after a move from Madison, Wisconsin's Henry Vilas Zoo.
According to zoo officials, both bears were taken from the wild as cubs but were later deemed "unreleasable" due to their habit of raiding trash cans and becoming dependent on human food. Despite being designated for rehabilitation, the bears' lives have been largely shaped by human interaction.
Ash and Lexi's story is one that highlights the crucial role accredited zoos play in providing care and shelter to rescued animals that cannot survive in the wild. The two bears are said to be close and playful with each other, showcasing their unique personalities. Ash has been observed as being more food-motivated, participating readily in training sessions, while Lexi is described as braver and more eager to try new things.
As winter approaches, the bears will begin their natural torpor - a state similar to hibernation, where their heart rates slow, metabolism decreases, and breathing becomes less labored. While they will have access to plenty of food at the zoo, this process allows them to conserve energy during periods when resources are scarce in the wild.
This marks the first time brown bears have been welcomed at Lincoln Park Zoo since 1979, underscoring the significance of the introduction as a step forward for the institution's animal collection.
According to zoo officials, both bears were taken from the wild as cubs but were later deemed "unreleasable" due to their habit of raiding trash cans and becoming dependent on human food. Despite being designated for rehabilitation, the bears' lives have been largely shaped by human interaction.
Ash and Lexi's story is one that highlights the crucial role accredited zoos play in providing care and shelter to rescued animals that cannot survive in the wild. The two bears are said to be close and playful with each other, showcasing their unique personalities. Ash has been observed as being more food-motivated, participating readily in training sessions, while Lexi is described as braver and more eager to try new things.
As winter approaches, the bears will begin their natural torpor - a state similar to hibernation, where their heart rates slow, metabolism decreases, and breathing becomes less labored. While they will have access to plenty of food at the zoo, this process allows them to conserve energy during periods when resources are scarce in the wild.
This marks the first time brown bears have been welcomed at Lincoln Park Zoo since 1979, underscoring the significance of the introduction as a step forward for the institution's animal collection.
I'm so glad they got these two lovely ladies to Chicago! It's amazing how much love and care that zoo is giving them, especially after all they've been through. I mean, who wouldn't want a comfy home with plenty of food and toys? But, you know, it's also kinda sad that they were taken from the wild as cubs in the first place 
.
Ash is so cute when she's all about the food, and Lexi is just a total adventurer, trying new things and living her best life. But, at the same time, I hope they get to have some quiet moments too, you know? Like, let them sleep in and stuff.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but at least they're giving these bears a second chance. Bring on the snuggles and playtime! 
And Lexi is just so brave and adventurous - I love her spirit!
I'm curious to see them thrive at the zoo and learn more about these incredible bears. 
wanna see them snoozin' away in the winter months! 
they were raised in captivity but still managed to bring their own personalities to the table - ash is like the total foodie and lexi is the adventurous one 
can't wait to see them play and thrive at lincoln park zoo 
! Those two gals are like an episode of Bear Necessities come true 
. But seriously, it just goes to show how much care accredited zoos bring to rescuing animals that aren't cut out for the wild life. And Ash & Lexi are giving me life with their little bear personalities - Ash is like the foodie and Lexi's all about adventure! 
! It's crazy to think they were once raiding trash cans and now they're getting pampered at the zoo 
, Ash's food-motivated ways vs Lexi's bravery... girl power 
! And can we talk about how awesome it is for the zoo to provide a safe haven for them? 
... i mean, it's cute that they're close and playful with each other tho 
. like, who wouldn't want to hang out with someone who loves human food as much as you do? ash seems like the "good girl" and lexi is like the wild child 
. anyway, brown bears back in chicago after 1979... yaaas, because what's a zoo without some vintage bear vibes 
. Their story is actually kinda sad though - from being wild cubs to living in captivity because they couldn't survive on their own due to human influence... it's wild (haha, get it?) that the zoo has been able to provide them with a better life 
. But y'know what? Accredited zoos like this one play such a huge role in rehabilitating animals, so I'm all for it! 
- i love how they're already being playful with each other 
but it's also wild to think about how their lives got shaped by humans in captivity 
. I mean, they're already stuck in captivity, so now they'll just have to deal with all the drama that comes with being a star attraction 
. I guess it's good that they're getting some care, but still...
where their heart rates slow down and they just chill for the winter 
. The fact that they'll be able to experience a natural torpor during winter is also interesting from an ecological perspective - who knows what we can learn from observing these incredible creatures in their natural state? 
I gotta say, it's crazy how these two bears went from being wild cubs to becoming zoo residents! 
i feel bad for ash and lexi, being stuck in captivity their whole lives because of human stuff. but at the same time, its good that they're getting a better life now. accreditation zoos are def doing some good work here... and can we talk about how cute those bear selfies are going to be? 