April 14, 2026
AKITA – A polar bear cub born in December last year began being displayed to the public on Saturday at an aquarium in Oga, Akita Prefecture.
The cub, which was estimated to have weighed about 500 grams when it was born, has grown to a healthy 19 kilograms.
Although the cub has not mastered the art of swimming just yet, it manages to make it back to solid ground whenever it falls into the pool. The cub’s mother, Momo, is often seen nearby watching over her little one.
On Saturday, about 20 die-hard fans were lining up outside the aquarium at 9 a.m. Once inside they prepared their cameras, mobile phones and other devices.
They watched the cub cautiously approach the pool and peer into the water as well as energetically chase after its mother.
“It’s so cute, like a stuffed animal,” a visitor said.