BACKSTORY: The outdoor exhibit at the Museum of Life and Science on Murray Avenue has been drawing crowds since its May opening, and is preparing to welcome a new member to its bear habitat -- Gus.

"He, like Virginia [the museum's other bear], was an orphan," said Julie Ketner Rigby, vice president for external relations at the museum. The museum held a contest to name the baby bear cub, and Gus beat out Woodrow and Brier.

WHAT NOW?: Gus will join the other bears sometime in 2007 when the animal keepers are confident all four will be comfortable together. Gus spent much time this year indoors, growing from 17 pounds to 80 pounds.

Gus wasn't the only thing that grew: The museum's admission revenue grew by 12 percent in the fiscal year 2006, which ended Sept. 30, and the operating budget grew from $4 million to $5 million.

"It is more attractive to people," Rigby said of the outdoor exhibit, which functions like a small zoo home to bears, lemurs, wolves, and many kinds of birds, insects and reptiles.

"You can either be indoors doing interactive hands-on discovery," she said, "or you can be outdoors doing interactive hands-on discovery."