ICYMI: Rare Andean Bear Cub Is Roaming Queens Zoo

QUEENS ZOO, QUEENS — A nearly extinct bear has been born in Queens.

The first Andean bear born in the city has been exploring his Queens Zoo home alongside his mom. The 25-pound cub, which has yet to be named, was born in November. He just went on display to visitors.

Nicole, his mother, and his father Youba were brought to Queens Zoo as part of the Species Preservation Program, which aims to preserve the population of endangered species.

There are only 18,000 Andean bears, native to South America, left in the wild.

Andean bears — also known as spectacled bears due to the white mark on their faces — are ranked as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Queens Zoo and the Wildlife Conservation Society have been working to study and conserve the bears in their natural South American habitat since 1977.

Watch the cub explore its new home below.

Lead image via Wildlife Conservation Society/Julie Larsen Maher