Brookfield Zoo: Brown Bear Cubs Make Public Debut

BROOKFIELD, IL – Two 11-month-old Alaskan coastal brown bears, Tim and Jess, made their public debut at Brookfield Zoo's Great Bear Wilderness on Monday, the zoo announced.

Guests can see the growing cubs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The hours are expected to be extended as they get more acclimated.

The cubs, who arrived at the zoo in early November, were orphaned in Anchorage, Alaska, according to a zoo news release.

On Nov. 3, employees from Brookfield Zoo accompanied the 150-pound cubs to Chicago, thanks to the "extreme generosity" of FedEx, the release said.

Axhi, a 28-year-old brown bear, also lives at Brookfield Zoo. In 1995, he along with his brother, who died last year, were orphaned as well and found a home at the zoo, according to the release.

The zoo said the global brown bear population is about 200,000.