'Lily The Black Bear' Gives Birth To 2 Cubs To Web Audience
ELY, Minn. (WCCO) -- Lily the black bear gave birth to two cubs Saturday morning in front of a worldwide internet audience.
One cub was born just before 1 a.m. and the other 20 minutes later, said Dr. Lynn Rogers, senior biologist of the Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center.
"Lily was restless Friday evening and surprised us by giving birth a week earlier than she has previously," Rogers said. "We're thrilled to hear the sounds of healthy cubs."
Six-year-old Lily previously gave birth to Hope on Jan. 22, 2010 and Faith and Jason on Jan. 21, 2011. She's became an internet sensation three years ago, when researchers placed a webcam in her den and viewers were able to see a live birth of a wild black bear cub.
Thousands around the world have been watching Lily after a den cam was installed last month, allowing researchers to monitor her hibernation.
Newborn cubs weigh nearly a pound and are about 9-inches long. The cubs' eyes usually open in early March.
