Juno the polar bear cub leaves for Winnipeg zoo
Time is running out to pay a visit to see Juno, the Toronto Zoo’s “vibrant” polar bear cub. The zoo announced Wednesday that the one-year-old cub is moving to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg on Wednesday.
The last chance to see Juno before she leaves for Winnipeg will be Saturday and Sunday before noon.
Juno was born over a year ago at the Toronto Zoo and hand-raised because her mother couldn’t produce milk. Her move to Winnipeg will give her the chance to play with other polar bear cubs.
At the Toronto Zoo, Juno can see other bears, but a barrier protects her from them.
“With Juno being quite a bit smaller than all our other bears it’s just too risky for (her),” said Heather Kalka, a zoo keeper who has helped raise Juno.
“Right now she’s kind of at an age where she’s just maturing. She’s definitely becoming her own bear.”
She hopes Juno will continue maturing and developing her skills at Assiniboine. “It’s a phenomenal staff there,” Kalka said.
After being quarantined for a bit in Winnipeg, Juno will eventually be able to directly socialize with other bears at a similar age and size, Kalka said.