The three grizzly cub brothers were orphaned in Alaska in October 2011 when their mother was shot and killed by a local resident. Alaskan wildlife officials contacted the Detroit Zoo seeking a home for the trio because the cubs would not survive their first harsh Alaska winter without their mother. Grizzly bears normally spend 2 to 3 years with their mothers, learning critical survival skills before living on their own. The Detroit Zoological Society is committed to help ensure the conservation of wild animals and habitats and the well-being of captive animals.