Keeper Notes: Look up – There’s a bear in the air!

Most people who visit the zoo walk up to an exhibit and and expect to see the animal on the ground. Next time you walk up to the black bear exhibit, take a moment and look up. We have a young bear who spends most of his time in the trees during the spring and summer. Don’t worry, though - He is not stuck!

Black bears climb trees regularly to feed, escape enemies or sometimes even to hibernate. This is an ability their mothers use in the wild for protection from predators. Bears have great physical strength, and their claws are shorter and more curved to allow them to easily climb trees. This also seems to make them less aggressive because they can escape high in the trees to safety.

Currently, our little bear is sleeping in the log in the yard during this time of extreme cold.  Black bears do not truly hibernate. They will sleep during the cold times but will come out of their dens on warmer winter days.

So next time you take a walk on the wild side, look up for a change and see what else you can see.

Written by Bethany Gates, Zookeeper