On Saturday, the Toledo Zoo celebrated a milestone: two polar bear cubs were born—their first since 2012. The tiny siblings arrived on December 1, born to mother Crystal and father Nuka, though keepers won’t confirm their sexes until they’re a bit older.
For now, the cubs remain hidden from public view, but starting spring 2023, visitors will have a chance to see them in person. In the meantime, the zoo is streaming a family video daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., letting fans share in the excitement.
Crystal and Nuka were paired specifically to bolster the bears’ genetic diversity. While these newborns are still petite, they’ll eventually grow into giants—adult males can weigh between 800 and 1,300 pounds, with females reaching 300 to 700 pounds.
Polar bears are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, their numbers dwindling due to climate change and habitat loss. These new cubs represent hope for a species under threat.
