You know how many people condemn zoos and keeping wild animals in captivity?

The claim is that what would be best for them would be to return to their natural habitat.

There are indeed zoos around the world where the staff abuses or neglects the animals.

But there are others whose main purpose is to protect the wildlife they host and to make sure the species that live there will not become extinct.

Polar Bears are a great example.

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium in Ohio know this all too well.

They run 80 “Species Survival Plans”.

“In an effort to save endangered wildlife we participate in more than 80 Species Survival Plans that ensure healthy, genetically diverse Zoo populations,” we read on their website.

They host Polar Bears.

According to WWF, the estimated polar bear population is currently around 22,000-31,000.

The species mostly rely on sea ice to hunt and find food, while in some cases they also rely on it for dens.

But the polar bear’s natural habitat has been altered, presenting an awful predicament.

Polar Bears have become endangered.

For this reason, the Toledo Zoo has been hosting a female polar bear named Crystal, in hopes of her giving birth to cubs to increase their population.

Their plan is working.

Crystal is 24 and by 2022 she had already given birth to seven cubs.

The Zoo, after consulting with the Polar Bear Species Survival Program, decided to bring in a male polar bear so that Crystal could mate and give birth to a new litter.

Indeed, the Toledo Zoo welcomed Nuka, an 18-year-old male bear, who ended up mating with Crystal.

Crystal had twins.

The mama bear gave birth to twin cubs in November last year.

Birthing is a 3-year cycle.

Polar bears are known to give birth to a new litter every three years.

According to the Zoo, it was the first time after a decade that Crystal gave birth to twin cubs.

“We can bear-ly contain our excitement! For the first time since 2012, we welcomed twin Polar bear cubs to the Toledo Zoo family!” the Zoo shared in a Facebook post.

While polar bears do not need to hibernate, when they have cubs they do stay in the den to keep them warm.

Experts explain that mother bears make dens where they give birth to their cubs in winter, but they do not use them to hibernate.

Polar bear cubs are incredibly tiny

They cannot open their eyes, and they are toothless.

These features, along with their sparse fur make them too vulnerable over the first months of their lives.

Mama polar bears stay in the den with them to keep them warm and nurse them in order for the cubs to become strong enough by spring, when they come out of the den.

This is the Toledo Zoo’s plan.

The zoo has announced the cubs will be on exhibit this coming spring when the vets will also be able to tell their genders and they will also announce their names.

In the meantime, those interested can watch the den live on YouTube, where the cubs stay for the winter with their mom.

Watch these sweethearts cuddle with their mama in the video below!

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Source: YouTube – Toledo Zoo, Fox 19, Facebook