Philadelphia Zoo Announces the First-Look at Francis J. Carey Bear Country and the Return of Bears to the Zoo

Philadelphia Zoo is overjoyed to announce its first look of Francis J. Carey Bear Country, a $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 vulnerable bears.

This is the biggest construction project at Philadelphia Zoo since the opening of KidZooU in 2013. The newly refreshed and upgraded spaces include the addition of a third bear habitat; dedicated behind-the-scenes indoor and outdoor den spaces to support breeding programs; and a brand-new Zoo360 trail for the bears named in honor of Peter Gould and Robin Potter. The addition of Gould & Potter Crossing allows the bears to explore the Zoo360 trail system for the first time since the trails debuted in 2011. Not only does Carey Bear Country enhance the Zoo’s animal care program, it creates a dynamic, memorable and educational experience for guests of all ages and backgrounds. Now home to Andean and sloth bears, Carey Bear Country supports the Zoo’s conservation programs to protect these species in zoos and in the wild.

Carey Bear Country opens for first looks to general Zoo admission guests starting Thursday, June 4 at 11:30am. Carey Bear Country will then be open daily from 9:30am-5:00pm starting Friday, June 5. Carey Bear Country is included in Zoo membership and general admission tickets. Throughout the exhibit, 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 these two species, the threats they face in the wild, and how the Zoo is making a difference in their conservation.

“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for: the bears are back! After three years of planning and construction, we are thrilled to invite you to get nose-to-nose with some of the planet’s most vulnerable —and cutest—bear species,” said President & CEO Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman. “Carey Bear Country offers our guests an amazing experience, and our bears a fantastic new home. We are grateful for the generous support that made this experience happen; it includes W. P. Carey Foundation, the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the William Penn Foundation and many other generous donors. As the flagship project of our recently announced Remember the Future campaign, Carey Bear Country would not be possible without the generosity of the donor community. Philanthropy goes a long way at Philadelphia Zoo, and we’re looking forward to accomplishing so much more through this ongoing campaign.

“Carey Bear Country strengthens all facets of animal care,” said Vice President of Animal Well-Being and Conservation Rachel Metz. “As an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited institution, we provide the highest level of care to our animals. The renovations, upgrades and improvements included in the Carey Bear Country project strengthens our veterinary, nutrition and behavioral enrichment programs.  In addition, the new behind-the-scenes cubbing dens will allow us to fully participate in AZA Species Survival Plans through breeding these vulnerable bear species.”

“The animal care team is thrilled to have bears back at Philadelphia Zoo,” said Senior Director of Animal Care Maggie Morse. “These beloved and charismatic animals have always been some of the most popular at the Zoo, and our team of animal care specialists are excited to work with our new Andean bears and returning sloth bear. Our team is ready to share the joy of animals and create transformative memories for our guests.”

“The W. P. Carey Foundation is thrilled to see Francis J. Carey Bear Country welcome its first bears and open to the public,” said William P. Carey II, Chairman and President of the W. P. Carey Foundation. “With its strong ties to the community and its commitment to education, Carey Bear Country is set to inspire future generations to protect wildlife. It is especially meaningful to honor Francis J. Carey, affectionately known as ‘G-Bear’ to his family.”

First Look at Carey Bear Country

Carey Bear Country opens for a first look to general admission guests on Thursday, June 4 at 11:30am, and then daily from 9:30am-5:00pm starting Friday, June 5. Animal care and well-being are at the forefront of every decision made at the Zoo. During the first opening weeks, the bears will be acclimating to their brand-new habitats and may not always be in their outdoor spaces. Stay tuned to the Zoo’s website and social media accounts, or subscribe to its email newsletter for updates on when the bears begin to walk through the Gould & Potter Crossing Zoo360 trail and explore the third additional bear habitat.

About Carey Bear Country

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 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 Species Survival Plan and Saving Animals From Extinction 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; new areas for guests to watch the Zoo’s animal care specialists have training sessions with the 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.

Meet Our Bears

At its opening, Carey Bear Country is home to three bears: Andean bears Turbo and Alba and sloth bear Bhalu. Both species of bears face threats including habitat loss and degradation, human conflicts, and poaching and are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

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.

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.

Fifteen-year old male Turbo and 11-year-old female Alba are a breeding pair of Andean bears who previously lived at San Diego Zoo. Together, they have had three cubs. Thirteen-year-old sloth bear Bhalu has lived at Philadelphia Zoo since 2015 and lived at Little Rock Zoo during construction before returning. Bhalu’s mate, Kayla, who also lived at Philadelphia Zoo since 2015, is currently raising her (and Bhalu’s) two new cubs at Little Rock Zoo. Kayla will return to Philadelphia once they are successfully weaned in about two years.

Bear Personalities

Turbo, male Andean bear

Birthday: December 30, 2010
Loves: Weaving plant material together to make large elaborate beds, playing with his mate Alba when she is receptive, smashing open his bones
Favorite Foods: Avocado and femur bones
Fun Fact: Loves to show off his strength and skills by throwing his enrichment bones to the ground to smash them open and get to the marrow

Alba, female Andean bear

Birthday: January 23, 2015
Loves: Making beds high in the climbing structures and then watching the world around her, learning how to take things apart, being an amazing mother
Favorite Foods: Avocado and mixed nuts
Fun Fact: She is a very intelligent bear that always keeps her animal care specialists on their toes!

Bhalu, male sloth bear

Birthday: January 20, 2013
Loves: Playing with enrichment toys that are paw sized so he can roll and throw them
Favorite food: Peanut butter and honey water
Fun Fact: Bhalu is a father to five offspring with his mate, Kayla.

Bear Nutrition

As an essential part of animal care, the Zoo has a dedicated nutrition team that creates specialized food plans for each of its 1,900 animals. Both bear species at the Zoo are considered omnivores, meaning they eat meat and plant materials. Andean bears eat fruits, berries and shrubs and eat the most plants of any other bear species. At the Zoo, their diet consists of protein options like fish, beef and eggs along with fruits and vegetables like apples, avocados, butternut squash, papayas and more for variety. Sloth bears are specialized in eating termites, but they will also eat eggs, insects, honeycombs, carrion, and various kinds of vegetation. At the Zoo, their diet consists of mealworms, melon, tomatoes, blueberries and more for variety. Each species also receives a standard Mazuri omnivore diet to ensure they receive all the essential vitamins and minerals.

Carey Bear Country & Conservation

Philadelphia Zoo’s conservation work includes advocating for and protecting species around the globe. Carey Bear Country is home to two species: Andean bears and sloth bears. Both species are considered vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to various threats.

To protect these species, the Zoo participates in two programs managed and spearheaded by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

The first is the Species Survival Plan (SSP). The goal of this program is to manage populations of threatened, endangered and other species across AZA institutions to maintain long-term genetic and demographic viability to protect species from extinction.

The second is the Keeping Andean Bears SAFE and Keeping Sloth Bears SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) programs. This initiative focuses the collective expertise within AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and leverages their massive audiences to save species. The program builds on established recovery plans, implements strategic conservation and stakeholder engagement activities, and prioritizes collaboration among AZA member institutions.

Separately, the Zoo directly supports organizations in the countries where Andean and sloth bears are native.

In India, Philadelphia Zoo works with Wildlife SOS, an organization established in 1995 with the goal to make a lasting change to protect and conserve the country’s natural heritage, forests and biodiversity. Part of their work is managing Agra Bear Rescue, the largest facility of its kind in the world that cares for more than 80 rescued sloth bears.

In Ecuador, Philadelphia Zoo partners with Zoo Amaru to protect several species of threatened amphibians, which includes a dedicated breeding facility for critically endangered frogs and toads. In addition to amphibians, Zoo Amaru works with all threatened native wildlife, and notably provides significant support to Andean bear conservation efforts. Today, Zoo Amaru is home to eight Andean bears rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking and other high-risk situations, providing them with a safe environment and comprehensive care. Amaru is also working together with other conservation institutions on a wild bear monitoring project using camera traps and satellite technology to track the movements of Andean bears in real time.

Support for Carey Bear Country

The W. P. Carey Foundation, with family roots in Philadelphia and a history of charitable giving in the region and throughout the country, pledged lead charitable support for the Zoo’s new, state-of-the-art bear habitat. Other philanthropic partners of Francis J. Carey Bear Country include the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the broader donor community. It is also supported by the William Penn Foundation, whose investment further emphasizes their commitment to making the arts and culture organizations in Philadelphia more accessible to all local residents.

As a part of the first-look, members of the community are invited to contribute to Carey Bear Country in a meaningful and memorable way. With a gift of $1,000, donors can be recognized with a custom, engraved brick that will be a part of the Zoo’s landscape for years to come. These bricks are not only a beautiful addition to Carey Bear Country, they provide an eco-friendly design with permeable surfaces helping to manage storm water and run-off into the local ecosystem. Each brick is approximately 5″x10″ and allows for 3 lines of up to 16 spaces. Learn more at philadelphiazoo dot org.

Carey Bear Country is also the flagship project for Remember the Future: The Campaign for Philadelphia Zoo. This comprehensive fundraising effort supports the Zoo’s bold commitment to protect species, champion animal wellbeing, transform the visitor experience, and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. Support of this campaign will safeguard a future where wildlife thrives and where every visit to the Zoo continues to spark wonder, connection, and possibilities for years to come. Remember the Future has a goal to raise $85 million. As of June 2026, the Zoo has raised more than $68 million. To learn more, visit rememberthefuture dot org.

Dining, Souvenirs & More

As a part of the firstv look of Carey Bear Country, guests can enjoy specialty food and souvenir options. Visit the Mini Melts location right next to Hollenstein Ross Penguin Point to enjoy a delicious bear claw pastry or a bear cookie or penguin cookie. At the Zoo’s Gift Shop near the main entrance or its newly rebranded gift shop in the center of the Zoo, Destination Philadelphia, guests can choose from a variety of bear plushies, t-shirts, and other items. Guests can also visit one of the Zoo’s face painting locations for specialty bear designs.

Hollenstein Ross Penguin Point

In conjunction with the first-look of Carey Bear Country, the Zoo is thrilled to open Hollenstein Ross Penguin point, its upgraded penguin habitat, now home to a new colony of Magellanic penguins. This is the first time in over 75 years the Zoo has had this species. The birds join the Zoo from Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited facilities to create a new colony at the recommendation of the Species Survival Plan, which strategically pairs animals for breeding.

Hollenstein Ross Penguin Point features a brand-new indoor space and 5,500-gallon indoor pool. While not visible to guests, this indoor habitat improves animal welfare. The penguins will be able to access the indoor space during severe weather, and this indoor habitat will also be used to protect the birds from the threat of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Their outdoor habitat, which guests are familiar with, features a rocky landscape for the birds to climb and jump, a 200,000-gallon outdoor pool for them to swim, dive and play in, and nesting burrows to support breeding programs.