Sun Bear Summary
Posted at 11:41 am April 10, 2006 by Suzanne Hall
You may recall a blog I wrote a few months back telling you of our hope that a sun bear cub would be born here this spring. I am sorry to report that our sun bear, Marcella, did not give birth.
We were crossing our fingers after her natural matings in November. After all, natural matings between Marcella and the male, Dibu, were responsible for the arrival of Danum, the first Bornean sun bear cub born in North America. Danum arrived in February 2004 and weaned from his mother in the summer of 2005. Marcella had a strong estrus in November 2005 and several copulations were observed. We even confirmed that there was semen in her genital tract. All signs looked good for another cub (or two) to arrive.
Marcella showed us some signs that she might be pregnant. She built a nest in her den with hay, shredded paper, and plant material. She had some mammary and gential swelling. Her appetite declined. In pandas, all of these are positive indicators that a female might be pregnant. Unfortunately, like pandas, sun bears may also exhibit pseudopregnancy. This means that a female might undergo several physiological and behavioral changes associated with pregnancy, and still fail to give birth.
But all is not lost. Unlike pandas, many sun bears in captivity cycle multiple times each year. That means there remains a possibility that Marcella will get pregnant again soon. Since Marcella’s behavior has returned to normal, she has now been reintroduced to Dibu, with whom she spends most of her time. We’ll be watching her closely for signs of estrus and sexual interest on the part of the male.
As for Danum, he has adjusted to life as a solitary bear quite well. Soon, he will undergo the next big experience in his life: a move to a new facility. In a short time, Danum will be sent to a zoo in Texas, where he will hopefully breed with a female there once he reaches sexual maturity. Come see this beautiful boy before he leaves. You’ll find him in the San Diego Zoo’s Bear Canyon, near the brown bear and next to another sun bear female, Ting Ting. We’ll miss you, Danum!
Suzanne Hall is the senior research laboratory technican for the Office of Giant Panda Conservation
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April 10th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Suzanne, can you post a current picture of Danum?
April 11th, 2006 at 5:13 am
Suzanne, when an animal, such as Danum, is sent to another zoo, is it just a loan to that zoo? Will Danum ever return to the SDZ? Ditto to Michelle’s request - can we please have a picture of Danum?
Thanks Suzanne.
April 11th, 2006 at 7:07 am
I am sad to hear the news about Marcella. Would that mean that she may have miscarried, or is this a case of, as you suggest, pseudopregnancy? Does anyone know what that phenomenon is all about? Why would a bear experience that, unless it were a case of spontaneous abortion at some point in an actual pregnancy? I hope that she will become pregnant soon and that we may look forward to the birth of another of this rare species. Meanwhile, I also hope for the best for the cub, who will be moving to Texas. That is a big change, and I hope he manages it well.
April 19th, 2006 at 2:49 pm
I just read that Danum will be leaving us soon and going to Texas. Please keep us posted on how he is doing and if he becomes a daddy. Sorry to hear about Marcella, I will be waiting to hear if she is indeed pregnant one day soon.
As a member I go on the sunrise strolls and we got to see Danum when he was a baby and we got to see him running after his Mom. It is hard to believe he is old enough to go to another zoo. I will miss him and I am hoping he hasn’t left yet as I will be coming to the zoo saturday and will surely go see him before he leaves if he hasn’t already. Good luck to you all with Marcella and I wish Danum the best in his next adventure in his life….
June 27th, 2006 at 5:21 am
i love sun bears