German zoo decides to hand raise cub amid fears for its safety - Update

A German zoo has agreed to hand rear a polar bear cub because of fears that its mother might harm it.

The decision came after the mother bear, Vera, was filmed carrying her cub in her jaws around her enclosure at Nuremberg Zoo.



It also came amid fears that another polar bear at the zoo, Vilma, has eaten her two newborn cubs.

Zookeepers had initially decided not to disturb Vera and Vilma's cubs, even if the mothers rejected them.



But they have now announced that they would begin bottle-feeding Vera's cub.

"The safety of the young animal is the first priority," said deputy zoo director Helmut Maegdefrau.

With news video. There are more photos here (with video) and here.