New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-22
BEARS IN CAPTIVITY
They Thrive, Government Elk
pert Finds After Long Study.

In 1904 a. Il. Baker. assistant superin-
tendent OF the National Geological Park,
published an account OF the breeding OF
tho American black bear at silver Lake
Park, Ohio, which appeared in the
Smithsonian Miscellaneous collections.
The paper covered a period OF twelve
years study. and as the breeding OF
these animals has been continued up 20
the present time. data now are availa BILE
for period OF twenty-One years. and IL
was thought desirable 10 give a further
account OF the matter in view of the re-
Gently developed interest In the breeding
Of the fur-bearing animals. This pam
phlet recently issued by the Zoo. forms
Smithsonian Publication No. 20s6, says
THE Washington Star"
The bears under observation are kept
at Silver Lake Park, a small resort near
Akron. Ohio When the undertaking was
first established a collection OF hardy
animals was started In bear pit. The
first bears obtained were a pair Of cubs
got in 1883 from two different localities
near Lake Superior. This pair bred reg
ularly,for eighteen years. and raised In
all thlrty-four cubs. Including all the
breeding bears. sIxty-eight or sixty-nine
cubs were raised during the twenty-one
years OF observation.
The original pit IL circular In form
and built OF brick. 20 feet across and IL
feet deep. The floor is OF terra Gotta
blocks set ir cement. so that the place
can he readily washed out with hose.
The pit is provided with tank In order
that the animals may battle. important
features OF the bears quarters are the
retiring dens. which provide suitable
nIaces for Information. Each is yenti-
lated by small fiue extending TO the
surface about the dens.
In the fall of the year. when the bears
are about TO retire for the winter, they
become very fat. As cold weather ap-
breaches large quantities OF leaves are
thrown into the pit and are carried by
the bears into their dens. Much OF their
time IL spent there, but they come out
for an occasional meal until the advent
or settled cold weather. about the mid
die Of December. when they finally re-
,reat IN their dens for the winter. Cen
erallv they come out from Information
early In Marcn, ndNlns icH'aiHcu 'h DO
cIusion for about three months.
II 10 stated by W. r. Lodge, manager
Of Silver Lake Park, that the bears have
always come out, after alternating for
two or three months, In practically as
GOOD condition as when they went In,
none of them showing thinness, despite
Tho fact that they have eaten nothing
during that time. Nor do they appear
TO be Particularly hungry. for at the first
meal they take but little food. touching
with the tongue what is offered to them
before eating Il, and IT Is only after after
three or four days or perhaps week
thst thew eat with appetite. The young
are horn usually In January. while the
anImaIs are in liberation. The. weight
of the newborn cubs ranges between
ni,e and twelve ounces. They are plump
iittie Fellows, with short, yelvety hair
Of grayish brown color: o r,o o., an6dS,
,hrnugh accident, and the death of one
hear twenty months old was the only
loss by disease. ,,,.s =, A..
hears Is similar TO that which they get
IN their wild state, hotel picnic tables
ans screps. TO which is added an album
Lance Of green food from nearby farms.