Rai’s adorable debut at Yokohama zoo

1.6.2025 – Source: Mainichi, Photos by Vedett Melk and Hisako Sugita

YOKOHAMA – A 5-month-old polar bear cub at Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia made his public debut on May 14 accompanied by his mother.

Hello visitors! Here I come!

The cub named Rai was born in November 2024 to 20-year-old father Gogo and mother Icchan, 11. During a media preview on May 13, Rai was seen playing with a toy in the pool and diving into the water.

Perhaps you know mama Icchan better by the name Shilka. Her parents are Gerda and Kai so Belka and Strelka in Novosibirsk are aunties now. 🙂

The cub only mastered diving some 10 days before the press preview. He had been practicing in the pool with his mother as she put him through training, and can now dive 1-meter deep and resurface with fish in his mouth.

Zookeeper Sakura Ito said of Rai, “He’s becoming better at diving, but his bottom still remains above the surface, which is just adorable. He’s curious about everything and full of energy.”

The cub is now big enough to eat what his mother eats three times a day. His favorite foods are fatty mackerel and beef femur bones.

According to Ito, the parent polar bear and its cubs are together for two to two and a half years after they are born. She said, “Now is the only time you can hear Icchan’s gentle call for Rai. We hope people come see the baby.”

There’s a nice little waterfall in the enclosure.

The mother and cub are on display daily from 9:30 a.m. to noon, except on the zoo’s holidays. The schedule for their appearance may change depending on their health and crowd sizes.

Vedett Melk took these photos on the day when Rai was weighed. 🐻 ❄️

On the 12th of May Rai was 175 days old and weighed 53 kilograms.

On behalf of the readers of this magazine I wish Icchan and Rai a happy Summer time!