ELY, MINN. - A 3-year-old bear in Minnesota gave birth to at least two cubs before an Internet audience.

Lynn Rogers of the Wildlife Research Institute, affiliated with North American Bear Center, said Jewel gave birth in a den near Ely to the first cub at 7:22 a.m. Sunday and a second at 8:40. He said a third cub might have been born at 9:08 a.m., but the den camera's view was blocked.

The births coincide with the Jan. 22 birthdate of Hope, the first bear Rogers and his colleagues recorded being born.

Three-year-old Jewel is the younger sister of Lily, who gave birth to Hope. Their 2010 birth and early days were followed by millions of viewers over the Internet. A hunter killed Hope last year.

The bear center's website is www.bear.org. The birth can be seen at startribune.com/a962.

ASSOCIATED PRESS