November 13, 2013, Toronto, Canada: Toronto Zoo today announced that Aurora, one of the two female polar bears, gave birth to three male cubs on Saturday, November 9, 2013. Unfortunately, two of the three cubs did not survive the first 48 hours and staff have intervened and moved the surviving cub to the Zoo's intensive care unit in the Wildlife Health Centre (WHC).

"Aurora showed perfect maternal instincts and attempted to nurse each cub shortly after their birth," said Eric Cole, Acting Manager, Wildlife Care.

On Monday, November 11, staff observed the lone cub was not moving as strongly as before. It was at this time that Zoo staff made the decision to have one of the veterinarians retrieve the third cub and take it to the Zoo's Wildlife Health Centre.

While in the WHC, veterinarians have been monitoring his temperature, taking blood samples and feeding him a special formula. "This is an extremely critical time for this young cub and Zoo staff are providing 24/7 care to give him the best chance for survival as the first three months are crucial," said Simon Hollamby, Toronto Zoo Veterinarian.

Nature has a way of regulating natural events such as births and deaths and it is observed that inexperienced animal mothers do not always successfully nurture their offspring. Female polar bears den at the start of winter and nurse their newborns for several months before emerging with their surviving cubs in the spring.

Toronto Zoo is involved in a collaborative research project involving multiple accredited zoos to understand polar bear reproductive biology. Polar bears typically give birth at the end of November or in December.

To media: At this time, Toronto Zoo professional staff is focused on the health and survival of the remaining cub and the Zoo will share updates as they become available.

Photo Credit Toronto Zoo: Eric Cole, Acting Manager, Wildlife Care with polar cub on November 11, 2013 in the intensive care unit of the Toronto Zoo's Wildlife Health Centre

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