Queens Zoo Debuts Two New Andean Bear Cubs

QUEENS, NY — Two Andean bear cubs made their public debut at the Queens Zoo on Thursday.

Bear cubs Benny and Brienne, who were born in January to parents Bouba and Nicole, are venturing into the zoo's outdoor habitat after spending weeks in their den with their mama bear.

The cubs are two of just four Andean bears born in zoos worldwide in the past year, according to the Queens Zoo.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has classified the Andean bear as a vulnerable species — there are fewer than 18,000 Andean bears in the wild, estimates say.

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GREAT NEWS Two Andean bear cubs were born at the zoo in January! Benny and Brienne (male and female) were born to Bouba and Nicole (father and mother). A big win for this @zoos_aquariums SSP! It is impossible not to enjoy this video, we promise. pic.twitter.com/ZVdrbg34YO
— Queens Zoo (@thequeenszoo) May 23, 2019

"These little cubs are tremendous ambassadors for their species," Queens Zoo Director Scott Silver said. "Andean bears are rarely seen in the wild so it’s extremely special to have an opportunity to watch cubs grow."

The Andean bear is the only bear species native to South America, according to the Queens Zoo. The bears are known for their signature facial markings that sometimes look like glasses.

There are only 39 Andean bears in Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos, which includes just six possible breeding pairs.

Bouba traveled from France to Queens to breed with Nicole, who moved to the Queens Zoo in 2015. This is the second time the couple has reproduced at the Queens Zoo, located in Flushing Meadow’s Corona Park.