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were making short, supervised visits in the outdoor area and the frequency and length of time steadily increased into the fall.
As of November, the cubs were in their outdoor habitat daily though they also have access to their indoor space 24/7 as temperatures in Kansas drop. Bears in zoos do not need to hibernate since they do not see the reduction in resources that wild bears experience but Sedgwick County Zoo staff said the zoo recognizes hibernation behaviors can be beneficial, allowing bears to calm, heal and grow. Keepers plan less involvement in winter so the cubs can rest undisturbed and they also provide extra food, denning boxes and additional bedding material.
In the first four months after arriving in Wichita, Sama grew from just under 10 pounds to a little over 42 pounds while her brother went from 11 to 52 pounds.
Zookeepers say the siblings are excellent swimmers and love spending time playing and foraging in their habitat. They love rolling around on top of cedar branches to get the cedar scent on their fur. They also love enrichment, including puzzle feeders.
Everyone involved wishes this rescue hadn’t been necessary, that the cubs and their mother had been left alone to live wild in the Pacific Northwest. Yet each
organization that played a part was happy to help make the best of a tragic situation. Thanks to a group effort, Takelma and Sama will serve as important ambassadors for their species from their home in Wichita’s Sedgwick County Zoo. KA
18 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
DECEMBER 2024
Volunteer pilots needed
Whether for one flight a month or one a year, there is likely an organization out there that can use your help.
The King Air is great for animal rescue missions because the pressurized, climate-controlled flight can help make animals more comfortable and the roomy cabin can accommodate multiple crates, supplies and helpers to be with the animals.
We’ve highlighted several animal rescue organizations over the years in King Air – Turtles Fly Too, Pilots N Paws, Pilots to the Rescue, to name a few. In addition to searching out these organizations, we encourage you to check with local groups and to consult with Air Care Alliance (aircarealliance.org), which has an Animal Transport category among its directory of organizations facilitating flights.