Black bear goes into hibernation in Ueno Zoo

Black bear goes into hibernation in Ueno Zoo

TOKYO, Japan - Koo the black bear has gone into hibernation in an artificial environment at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Zoo officials say there is no precise evidence to determine that the 20-month-old female bear has gone into winter hibernation, but since around Dec. 18 she has been sleeping all day, and her breathing rate has gone down from about 10 times a minute to just three. The zoo believes Koo is the first bear in Japan to have gone into hibernation in a zoo, and visitors can see her asleep inside her cage at the zoo now. (Photo provided by Tokyo Zoo Association).

Black bear goes into hibernation in Ueno Zoo

Black bear goes into hibernation in Ueno Zoo

TOKYO, Japan - Koo the black bear has gone into hibernation in an artificial environment at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Zoo officials say there is no precise evidence to determine that the 20-month-old female bear has gone into winter hibernation, but since around Dec. 18 she has been sleeping all day, and her breathing rate has gone down from about 10 times a minute to just three. The zoo believes Koo is the first bear in Japan to have gone into hibernation in a zoo, and visitors can see her asleep inside her cage at the zoo now. (Photo provided by Tokyo Zoo Association). (Kyodo)

Black bear goes into hibernation in Ueno Zoo

Black bear goes into hibernation in Ueno Zoo

TOKYO, Japan - Koo the black bear has gone into hibernation in an artificial environment at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. Zoo officials say there is no precise evidence to determine that the 20-month-old female bear has gone into winter hibernation, but since around Dec. 18 she has been sleeping all day, and her breathing rate has gone down from about 10 times a minute to just three. The zoo believes Koo is the first bear in Japan to have gone into hibernation in a zoo. The photo, provided by Tokyo Zoo Association, shows Koo at Ueno before hibernation. Visitors can see Koo's hibernation at the zoo. (Kyodo)