WAMU 88.5 : News

Filed Under:

National Zoo Welcomes Andean Bear Cubs

Play associated audio

It's twins for the National Zoo's 6-year-old Andean bear, Billie Jean. It's not yet clear, however, when visitors might be able to see the cubs in person. For now, the public will have to log on to the [zoo's live webcam]( http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Amazonia/AndeanBears/andean-bear-cam.cfm) and hope they're in view.

Zoo staffers say mama bear will stay inside with her cubs for now, and come spring, if they're healthy, the three will head out to their yard.

Andean bears, also called spectacled bears, are one of the world's most endangered bear species. Scientists estimate there's only about 2,000 left in their natural habitat. These cubs are the only surviving Andean cubs in a North American zoo since Billie Jean's first cubs were born in 2010.

The cubs' father had to be euthanized in August after being treated for an aggressive type of cancer.

NPR

Dan Brown: 'Inferno' Is 'The Book That I Would Want To Read'

Dan Brown, author of the blockbuster The Da Vinci Code, is back with his first novel in four years. Inferno follows academic hero Robert Langdon on a chase through Italy as he attempts to avert a biological catastrophe.
NPR

'Picture Cook': Drawings Are The Key Ingredients In These Recipes

Designer Katie Shelly's upcoming cookbook offers 50 illustrated recipe "blueprints" for basic meals — from simple snacks to more hefty dishes like eggplant Parmesan. She hopes they'll inspire any level of cook to improvise in the kitchen.
WAMU 88.5

Ken Cuccinelli Wins GOP Nomination For Virginia Governor

Virginia's attorney general Ken Cuccinelli will face former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe in November to become Virginia's 72nd governor.

NPR

Book News: Amazon May Be Called Before Parliament Over Taxes

Also: AARP and The Nation join a growing list of ebook publishers; Hilary Mantel on Jane Austen; Anne Applebaum on Sheryl Sandberg.

Leave a Comment

Help keep the conversation civil. Please refer to our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct before posting your comments.