Animal conservation scientists at the Cincinnati Zoo worked with
a dog trainer in Kansas to devise the test being tried out this
year. Zoos around the country provided fecal samples that the
2-year-old dog named Elvis has been trained to sniff for
proteins that scientists say are found only from pregnant polar
bears.
Erin Curry of the Cincinnati Zoo's Center for
Conservation & Research of Endangered Wildlife said that with
nearly all samples from 14 zoos checked, the Elvis test
indicates this year's cub class will be similar to last year's,
when only three cubs were born in U.S. zoos.
"Probably about the same," Curry said. "We're still waiting
on a few (results)."
Confirming pregnancies in the massive bears has been
difficult, and zoo officials say knowing would help them manage
the threatened species. They can provide dens with extra
bedding, step up video monitoring and line up staff and
volunteers for around-the-clock "cub watches."
Curry said Elvis detected no pregnant polar bears at the
Cincinnati Zoo, but she declined to divulge results for other
facilities. She noted that expectant bears can have one to three
cubs per pregnancy. Last year, twins were born at the Toledo
Zoo, while the other birth occurred at the Buffalo Zoo.
Curry said any cubs born this year would likely arrive over
the next several weeks.
Officials at SeaWorld San Diego said they're getting ready
for the pitter-patter of little paws.
"A Polar Bear Cub May be on the Way!!!" SeaWorld announced
Monday on its Facebook page. The posting said 18-year-old Szenja
is "showing strong signs of maternity," such as weight gain,
finicky eating and making a nest in her den — and that Elvis
thinks so, too. Szenja made a breeding visit to the Pittsburgh
Zoo earlier in the year.
