Himalayan Bear Cubs Harry and Bruno Become Star Attractions at Kufri Zoo
Two adorable nine-month-old Himalayan black bear cubs, named Harry and Bruno, have emerged as the latest sensation at the Himalaya Nature Park, a mini zoo located in Kufri, Shimla. Their playful and endearing antics are captivating a steady stream of visitors, many of whom are flocking to witness the cubs' natural behaviors in their high-altitude enclosure.
Playful Tree-Climbing Competitions Delight Onlookers
Visitors are particularly fascinated by how the cubs engage in spirited competitions to climb a towering deodar tree that stands nearly 60 feet tall within their enclosure. The cubs, born in May 2025 to parents Shyamu and Dolly, are frequently seen pulling each other down in their race to reach the top, playfully scratching one another, and occasionally receiving gentle discipline from their mother, Dolly, who might offer a snub or a soft slap to keep them in line.
Shahnawaz Ahmed Bhatt, Divisional Forest Officer of Shimla, highlighted that the cubs' instinctive tree-climbing skills are a major draw for tourists. He noted that many visitors hail from plains regions like Punjab, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh, where coniferous trees such as deodars are not commonly found. For these tourists, observing bears exhibit such natural climbing behavior is a novel and entertaining experience, even if they have seen black bears in zoos back home.
Natural Behavior and Safety Measures at the Zoo
An officer at the zoo explained that climbing tall trees is both an instinctive skill for bears and something they learn from their mothers. As a precautionary measure, some branches of the deodar trees inside the enclosure were trimmed when Dolly was teaching her cubs to jump between branches, ensuring their safety while allowing them to develop their abilities.
During a recent visit by The Indian Express on January 22, one cub was spotted perched atop the deodar tree, while its sibling attempted to follow but was repeatedly prevented from reaching the summit, showcasing their competitive yet playful dynamic.
Family Dynamics and Enclosure Management
A caretaker at the zoo revealed that the bear family shares an enclosure, but the adult male, Shyamu, is kept separate from the cubs and their mother in the open area. This is done to prevent potential harm, as male bears in the wild may attack cubs to ward off other males from their mate. The enclosure features two sections with a shared open space, where Dolly and the cubs are released together, and Shyamu is only allowed in after they have returned to their section.
Himalaya Nature Park: A Hub for Himalayan Wildlife
Beyond the Asiatic black bears, the Himalaya Nature Park, situated at an altitude of around 2,400 meters above sea level, is home to a variety of Himalayan species. These include common leopards, musk deer, Himalayan thar, sambar, and numerous bird species, making it a popular destination during peak travel seasons. The park's diverse fauna and the charming presence of Harry and Bruno continue to attract tourists, enhancing Shimla's appeal as a wildlife tourism hotspot.
