The Brookfield Zoo Bear Exhibit, also known as the Great Bear Wilderness, is a captivating 7.5-acre habitat that opened in 2010, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of these magnificent creatures. Nestled within the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois, this exhibit showcases the diverse and awe-inspiring lives of polar bears, grizzly bears, Mexican gray wolves, American bison, and bald eagles.
Location and Contact Information
The Brookfield Zoo Bear Exhibit is located at:
– Address: 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA
– Telephone: +1 708-688-8000
– Website: https://www.czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/Home.aspx
– Contact Form: https://www.czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/About/Contact-Us.aspx
Bears and Habitat
The Brookfield Zoo Bear Exhibit is home to two remarkable bears:
| Bear | Details |
|---|---|
| Hudson (male) | Born on December 14, 2006, at Brookfield Zoo |
| Hope (female) | Born on December 3, 2015, at Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, Ohio, USA; arrived from Utah’s Hogle Zoo on January 29, 2021 |
The exhibit features two distinct habitats, one for polar bears and another for grizzly bears. The polar bear habitat recreates the Arctic tundra, complete with a swimming pool, underwater viewing facilities, and various substrates like grass, dirt, rock, and concrete. The grizzly bear habitat offers three separate exhibit spaces, allowing the animals to be rotated to alleviate boredom.
The underwater viewing area, spanning 3,600 square feet (2,500 square meters), features 5-inch (12.5 cm) thick glass that separates visitors from the bears. Each pool holds around 80,000 US gallons of water (303,000 liters), providing the bears with ample space to swim and explore.
Facilities and Features
In addition to the captivating bear exhibits, the Brookfield Zoo Bear Exhibit offers a range of amenities and features for visitors:
- Restaurant: Offering refreshments and dining options
- Gift Shop: Where visitors can purchase souvenirs and merchandise
- Restrooms: Conveniently located for visitor comfort
- Education Building: Providing educational resources and information about the bears and their habitats
- Off-Exhibit Space: Includes an additional outdoor non-public enclosure and increased holding space with skylights for natural light, ensuring the bears’ well-being and comfort.
Concerns and Conservation Efforts
While the Brookfield Zoo Bear Exhibit is a remarkable facility, there are some concerns and ongoing conservation efforts:
- Captive Breeding Program: The zoo has previously utilized fertility treatment to achieve conception, as part of its efforts to support the conservation of these species.
- Space Limitations: Despite the significant improvements, the current facilities still provide a relatively small total area for the bears to explore and live in.
- Conservation Status: Polar bears are listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List, while brown bears are listed as “least concern” but face threats like habitat loss and human conflict. The Brookfield Zoo is actively involved in research and conservation efforts to support these species.
Additional Information
The Brookfield Zoo Bear Exhibit has also provided a home to orphaned brown bears, such as two Alaskan coastal brown bears who were rescued and relocated from Anchorage. The zoo is deeply committed to understanding and promoting the well-being of these magnificent animals, with ongoing research and educational initiatives focused on polar bear behavior and conservation.
References:
- https://www.zoochat.com/community/threads/27-million-great-bear-wilderness.120013/
- https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/polarbear
- https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/Orphaned-Brown-Bears-have-a-Forever-Home-at-Brookfield-Zoo
- https://www.brookfieldzoo.org/KeepingCoolWithPolarBearScience
- http://www.bearconservation.org.uk/captive-polar-bears-brookfield-zoo-chicago-illinois-usa/