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Ohio zoo releases polar bear video that has gone viral

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America's fourth-most visited zoo released a video last weekend of its newest baby polar bear dreaming and opening her eyes for the first time. 

Video of the cub released by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio has been viewed 1.5 million times, and has been shared more than 30,000 times, as of Wednesday evening. 

The cub is five weeks old and weighs 4 pounds and is 16 inches long. The cub receives around-the-clock attention from the zoo's staff. 

"Her motor skills are improving each day and she has started trying to stand up on all fours, especially when she’s ready for her next meal. She is on six feedings a day, every four hours," the zoo said on its Facebook page. 

 

 

POLAR BEAR CUB UPDATE: At 5 weeks old, the polar bear cub is doing very well; she weighs a little over 4 pounds and measures 16 inches long! Both eyes have started to open as of yesterday, but they are not fully open yet. The care staff says the sound that she makes in the video is of contentment. Her motor skills are improving each day and she has started trying to stand up on all fours, especially when she’s ready for her next meal! She is on six feedings a day, every four hours. The team has been evaluating her daily needs and provides care 24/7.

Posted by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Friday, December 11, 2015

The zoo that was formerly run by renowned zookeeper Jack Hanna welcomes nearly 2.5 million visitors annually. The zoo has recently seen record attendance with its famous Wildlights holiday display, which has seen a boost due to record warmth in Ohio.

Justin Boggs is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @jjboggs.