THE FALLS CITY TRIBUNE — DECEMBER 16, 1904
The two polar bear cubs which were Born at the Buffalo “zoo” a short time ago are alive and thriving. Curator Crandall has obtained a foster-mother for them in a female Irish setter.
The dog nurses the cubs, and her milk appears to agree with them. The dog, however, does not yet mother the little ones. That is, while she permits them to nurse she does not cuddle them and protect them with her body from the cold. It is, therefore, necessary to keep them in a large box, cotton lined and filled with hot water bags. For this reason it is necessary to keep a constant watch upon them to see that they do not become ill or die from exposure.
“I am in hopes that the dog will soon mother them,” said Mr. Crandall. “When she does, it will not be necessary to watch them constantly, as the warmth of the dog’s body will be all the protection they need from the weather.”
The mother bear gave birth to three cubs, but before they could be taken from her she ate one of her offspring. This is the trouble that curators of all zoos have in raising young bears.
From— The Falls City Tribune. (Falls City, Neb.), 16 Dec. 1904. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
