The Bedford Estates, LondonThe four bear cubs born at the Park early last year are almost unrecognisable, after a recent growth spurt sees the cubs more than doubling in size during the winter months, and catching up with mum Phoenix!
Now that siblings Harvard, Aspen, Maple and Colorado are a bit bigger they can often be seen play fighting and standing on their hind legs to practice challenging each other, an adorable but all-important behavior which helps them determine their social hierarchy and level of interaction.
These young North American black bears also can be seen playfully chasing each other, or the even crows which are attracted by food which keepers scatter for them!
It's hoped that they'll be able to join the rest of the group in the 12-acre Kingdom of Carnivores enclosure in the Road Safari full-time in the coming month.
Once out in the main section it is expected that the cubs will remain close to their mother for the first few weeks whilst they learn the important skills needed to become independent adult bears.
Although adult black bears are relatively solitary animals, the siblings have grown up in such close proximity they will likely remain in close contact for the first few months - in fact they will probably spend their next hibernation together, snuggled up close in a shared den, but as they grow they will gradually spend more time alone.
See how they grow...!
They won't stay this little for long, so be sure to look out for these blossoming bear cubs on your next visit!
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