Philadelphia Zoo Announces the First-Look Opening Date for Francis J. Carey Bear Country

Philadelphia Zoo is thrilled to announce the first-look opening of Francis J. Carey Bear Country on Thursday, June 4 at 11:30 am.

Guests are invited to be among the first to visit the $25 million state-of-the-art facility built with the highest standards of animal care in mind, making it one of the best in the country for endangered bears. Carey Bear Country includes newly refreshed and upgraded habitats, with the addition of a third, brand-new habitat, dedicated behind-the-scenes indoor and outdoor den spaces to support breeding programs, and a brand-new Zoo360 trail for the bears to explore, all of these additions enhancing the Zoo’s animal care program. Throughout Carey Bear Country, there will be new ways for guests to get closer than ever before to the Zoo’s bears with cave-like glass viewing areas. Interactive, educational signage throughout the space will tell the stories of Andean bears and sloth bears, the threats they face in the wild, and how Philadelphia Zoo is making a difference in their conservation. While Carey Bear Country will open to general admission guests on Thursday, June 4 at 11:30 am. Zoo members will enjoy exclusive previews on Tuesday and Wednesday June 2 and 3 from 9:30-12 pm and Friday, Saturday, Sunday June 5th, 6th, and 7th from 8:30 am to 9:30 am before the Zoo opens to the public. Carey Bear Country will be open daily from 9:30 am-5:00 pm starting Friday, June 5. Carey Bear Country is included in Zoo membership and general admission tickets.

As an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo, Philadelphia Zoo puts animal care and well-being are at the forefront of every decision. During the first opening weeks, the bears will be acclimating to their brand-new habitats and may not always be in their outdoor spaces visible to guests. Stay tuned to the Zoo’s website, social media accounts or subscribe to its email newsletter for updates on when the bears begin to walk through the Zoo360 trail and explore the third additional bear habitat.

A State-of-the-Art Facility for Bears

Carey Bear Country goes well beyond the standards for animal care set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The exhibit features 60% more space for bears with the addition of a third bear habitat and improvements that mimic the natural spaces wild bears live in. New features, among many, include the Gould & Potter Crossing Zoo360 Trail for animal exploration; digging pits to increase food foraging opportunities; heated water features and pools for drinking and playing; 14 ft. tall climbing structures; indoor and outdoor behind-the-scenes denning space for cub rearing; and structural and landscape designs to support newborn and aging animals. These enhancements strengthen the Zoo’s commitment to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) and Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) Program.

As a part of the Zoo’s mission to be a destination where transformative memories are made, Carey Bear Country provides new opportunities for guests to connect with the animals. The upgrades include glass viewing areas to come nose-to-nose with bears and new interactive educational signage to educate about the bears and their conservation stories. Construction also included seven brand-new gender-neutral restrooms, one family restroom and a dedicated nursing suite.

About Our Bear Species

Carey Bear Country is home to two species of endangered bears: Andean bears and sloth bears.

Andean bears are the only bear species native to South America and live in the Andes Mountains. They have light, circular or semi-circular markings on their faces, which is why they are also called spectacled bears. They are excellent climbers and are known for building nests in trees to both eat and sleep. They eat fruits, berries and shrubs and eat the most plants of any other bear species. This species faces threats including habitat loss and degradation, human conflicts, and poaching.

Sloth Bears are found in the lowland forests of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. They have long, dark shaggy fur with a distinct cream-colored “U” or “Y” shaped marking on their chests. They have flexible snouts, protruding upper and lower lips, and powerful lungs that allow them to dislodge and eat termites and ants that are 8-10 feet underground. They also eat eggs, insects, honeycombs, carrion, and various kinds of vegetation. This species faces threats including habitat loss, human conflicts and poaching.

Stay tuned for more information coming soon about the individual bears who call Carey Bear Country home.