By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Two female Manchurian black bears gave birth to cubs in the wild around Mt. Jiri in January after being released from captivity in 2005, the Ministry of Environment said, Monday.
The discovery represents the first time the bears have reproduced in the wild without the need for medical assistance, the government said.
The Korean National Park Corporation said both mothers, named Janggang and Songwon, are doing well. It was said that they have been sheltering in a cave since December after mating in May.
Experts claim their hibernation and giving birth are signs the animals have adapted well to the wild. The news was especially welcomed because many did not expect the births of the cubs.
``We thought it would be nearly impossible for them to have cubs without artificial insemination because both of them were severely injured by snares in 2007 and 2008,'' Oh Young-sang of the corporation said.
The Manchurian Black Bears are government-designated animals on the verge of extinction and natural treasure No. 329.
The environment ministry has imported 27 from North Korea and the Maritime Province of Siberia since 2004 as part of a restoration project.
Janggang and Songwon came from North Korea in July 2005 alongside two other females and four males.