Knoxville Zoo has a new resident who also happens to be unbearably cute. An 11-month-old male North American black bear cub now calls the Lucille S. Thompson Family Foundation Black Bear Falls his new home, where he is being introduced to his new habitat and bear companions.

This little bear comes to Knoxville from the Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV), an internationally-acclaimed teaching and research hospital for wildlife and conservation medicine located in Waynesboro, Virginia. Found by animal control officers in Montgomery County, Virginia in July travelling with a group of dogs and wearing a dog collar, the cub showed signs that he was human-habituated, which means he had lost his fear of people. After spending several weeks at the WCV, the youngster moved to Knoxville Zoo in September. Now 11 months old and weighing in at 115 pounds, he is exploring his new home enthusiastically and meeting the zoo's three other bears Otis, Alvin and Ursula. The zoo's new addition will be on limited public view while introductions take place and his daily schedule will vary as staff determines the pace that introductions should progress.

To celebrate his arrival, Knoxville Zoo will be asking the community to help choose his official name and raise funds for the care of their four resident bears in the process. Votes can be cast for one of two names, "Knox", a tribute to his new home here in Knoxville, or "Monty", a nickname given to him by followers at the WCV in reference to the county where he was found-Montgomery County, Virginia. For each dollar donated to the name of choice, one vote will be cast, and all proceeds will benefit Knoxville Zoo's North American black bears. Votes can be cast online at www.knoxvillezoo.org.

Knoxville Zoo is Knoxville's largest year-round attraction. Located off exit 392 from Interstate 40, the zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. Knoxville Zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865-637-5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxvillezoo.org.