LITTLE ROCK (December 20, 2006) -The Little Rock Zoo is proud to announce the birth of two sloth bear cubs born early this morning to sloth bears Nocona and Francois. The gender of the two cubs is unknown.

Zoo animal staff report Nocona is taking good care of her babies and that both mother and cubs alike appear to be in good health. Nocona will stay with her new cubs in their den area for a few months before venturing out into their exhibit. No other bears will have access to Nocona or the new cubs while they stay in the den.

This marks the second time Nocona has successfully delivered two cubs. Nocona delivered cubs Tasha and Thor December 27, 2004. Tasha and Thor are currently living at the Zoo in a separate exhibit. Francois, father of both sets of sloth bear cubs, is in the same exhibit area with Nocona and the new cubs but is not able to access the den.
Francois was acquired by the Zoo in 2003 from the National Zoo to breed with Nocona at the recommendation of the Species Survival Plan. Nocona was born at the Little Rock Zoo in 1994.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.

For more information, visit www.aza.org.