Two 2-year-old polar bears made their debut at the Maryland Zoo on Thursday.
Neva and Amelia Gray will be at the Polar Bear Watch and for the first time, visitors can see them.
“It’s been fun for all of us getting to know these bears,” said Erin Cantwell, mammal collection and conservation manager for the Zoo. “Neva is very independent and curious, and Amelia Gray is spunky and a bit particular. I think people will be very excited about them because they’re so playful.”
They arrived from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in early October and completed a mandatory quarantine period while acclimating to their new home and new animal care team.
CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF NEVA AND AMELIA GRAY
In September, the Zoo bid farewell to 22-year-old polar bear Anoki who returned to the Seneca Park Zoo where she was born. This move was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Polar Bear Species Survival Plan.
Neva and Amelia Gray are half-sisters and were two of three polar bear cubs to be born at the North American zoological facility in 2016.
Even though Neva is only 2-years-old, she is 400 pounds and Amelia Gray weights even more at 425! Officials at the zoo say once they are full grown, they will weigh more than 500 pounds.
“These bears are important ambassadors for their species,” said Cantwell. “It’s a great opportunity for us to have such young bears because it’s a sign that accredited zoos are working hard together to conserve the polar bear species.”
