Toledo's polar bear cubs debut

The Toledo Zoo is getting ready for a big debut. Thousands are expected to turn out for their first glimpse of the three new polar bears.

Out of the four polar bear cubs that were born in captivity in North America last year, we have three of them here.

Starting tomorrow, you can meet the three adorable polar bear cubs at the Toledo Zoo.

Mammal Curator Dr. Randi Meverson says, "When they are born, they are very underdeveloped. It took us five months to get them to this stage where they were old and big enough that we felt they could safely go on exhibit in public."

The cubs love their home in the Arctic Encounter.

"Our big concern wasn't them swimming, it was them getting out of the pool. They have done great."

You won't be able to see all three cubs on exhibit. Crystal and her twin girls will switch outdoor time with Nan and her son.

"In the wild the only predators for cubs are actually adult male bears. So just for safety sake, we do maintain them as separate groups."

At five months, the cubs have plenty of hobbies, thanks to their mothers.

"In the wild she would teach them how to hunt for seals. We don't do that here, so she just teaches them to look for food and where to get that."

As they teach each other how to be polar bears, the three cubs can teach us much more.

"They really play an important part as ambassadors for their wild counter parts. With global warming and climatic changes, we really need to get the message out on what's going on."

You might be wondering what the polar bear cubs are named, that will be decided by you. 13abc and the Toledo Zoo will be having a cub-naming contest. Stay with 13abc for more information.

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