Polar bear cub steals the show at zoo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (NBC/WGRZ) - A fluffy white polar bear cub has made its debut at a zoo in Buffalo.

It was just another cold, gray day at the zoo Friday -- until the little polar bear showed up and stole the show.

"Her house name is Luna," said Buffalo Zoo President Donna Fernandes.

She was born on a full moon. But her name will soon change.

"We are doing a naming contest via Facebook that will allow members of the public to contribute suggestions for her name, and then we'll vote on the most popular suggestions and ultimately give her her formal zoo name,” said Fernandes.

At 3 months old, she will be the face of the zoo's final push to raise the $4 million needed to complete funding for the Arctic Edge Exhibit.

"The bears will be able to enter and get out of the sun,” said Fernandes.

Fernandes says this exhibit is critical to the future of bears at the Buffalo Zoo.

"We have lost our adult bears, and we will lose this one if we don't move forward with that campaign,” said Fernandes.

For now, veterinarian Alice Rohauer is hand-raising this little cub. However, this isn't the first animal she's brought home.

"I have had reindeer, hyena -- multiple hyenas -- an antelope,” said Rohauer.

Hand-rearing is not uncommon for animals rejected by their mothers.

"Starting on Monday, we will have remote video camera links, so if you come to the zoo between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., you'll be able to see live footage of her," said Fernandes.

Buffalo Zoo officials say it is just one of two zoos in North America to have polar bear births last year.