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• BEAR CUBS: The Zoo Now Has Two New, ‘Non-Releasable’ Bear Cubs Gracing the New Bear Habitat

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Press release from the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation:

Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria has been in partnership with the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation and the City of Eureka and is the primary funder of the new bear and coyote habitat at Sequoia Park Zoo. The Tribe has given this place of learning to the Zoo and community to help tell the story of humans and bears in our region.

In spring, Bear River was notified of the arrival of two long-awaited bear cubs known as “Tule” and “Oak” from Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care. These “yearling” bears were determined non-releasable by California Department of Fish and Wildlife and were chosen for placement at Sequoia Park Zoo. As the principal supporter of the habitat, Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria is able to provide naming suggestions for the new bears.

As a way to respect, remember, and honor the tribal land on which he was found, Bear River would like for the male bear to retain the name “Tule.” Tule (pronounced Too-Lee) was only weeks old when he was found in April 2022 on the Tule River Nation Reservation. The local community spent several days searching for his mother but were unable to locate her, and the Tule River Tribal Police Department transported him to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care for rehabilitation.

Bear River has chosen for the female bear to have her name changed from “Oak” to “Noni.” Noni translates to “black bear” in the Bear River dialect of Athapascan. The Athapascan language family is one of the largest in North America, extending from Alaska through the American Southwest, and includes the Humboldt County coast.

Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria wants to welcome Tule and Noni to our family, and we look forward to seeing both bears grow over the years.