After being orphaned, Asiatic black bear, or moon bear, cubs are getting protection  from scientists in Russia. Listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the moon bear is threatened by habitat destruction and by hunters fueling a trade in body parts.

It’s springtime in the Russian Far East, and two scientists have begun to raise three orphaned Asiatic black bear cubs.

This cub is about 3 months old.

Asiatic black bears, also known as ‘moon bears’ because of the distinctive crescent-shaped stripe across their chests are a vulnerable species…mostly due to habitat loss and hunting for body parts.

Though protected in most parts of its range, hunting is still legal in both Japan and Russia.

During traditional Russian bear hunts, hibernating