KC Zoo’s polar bears get amorous: Could a cub be on its way?

Kansas City’s two polar bears are mating, raising hopes for a cub.

Officials at the Kansas City Zoo probably won’t know until fall if Berlin, a 23-year-old female who arrived here late last year, is pregnant by 6-year-old Nikita.

Zookeepers noticed that Berlin’s usual disdain for Nikita began to change recently, and she was exhibiting behavior suggesting she was in heat. In recent days, the two massive bears have been observed mating.

Berlin has never had cubs, and Nikita has never been paired before.

This story was originally published April 10, 2013 at 7:34 PM with the headline "KC Zoo’s polar bears get amorous: Could a cub be on its way?."