The Denver Zoo is home to two rescued grizzly bears, Tundra and Kootenai, who reside in the Harmony Hill exhibit. This exhibit is designed to educate visitors on the importance of coexisting with bears in the wild and in human areas. Let’s dive into the details of this captivating exhibit and the fascinating lives of these majestic creatures.
Harmony Hill Exhibit
The Harmony Hill exhibit is a unique and immersive experience that aims to showcase the delicate balance between bears and human communities. Designed to mimic both a state park and a neighborhood backyard, this exhibit highlights the importance of taking simple actions to prevent conflicts with bears.
Exhibit Features
- Working Wall: The exhibit includes a “working wall” for daily training sessions, allowing visitors to observe the positive reinforcement techniques used to care for the bears.
- Climbing and Denning Areas: The exhibit provides areas for the bears to climb, dig, and den, catering to their natural behaviors and instincts.
- Backyard Items: Custom-designed backyard items, such as bird feeders and swimming pools, are included to mentally stimulate the bears and educate visitors on bear-proofing their own homes.
Exhibit Hours and Location
Harmony Hill is located on the east side of the Denver Zoo, next to the giraffe habitat, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tundra and Kootenai
The two grizzly bears residing in the Harmony Hill exhibit, Tundra and Kootenai, have unique stories and backgrounds.
Background
- Kootenai: Kootenai was separated from his mother after his sibling was hit by a car, leading to his rescue and placement at the Denver Zoo.
- Tundra: Tundra was orphaned after her mother was euthanized for being a “problem” bear in an Alaskan community.
Care and Training
The bears receive exceptional care and training at the Denver Zoo. Positive reinforcement techniques are used to ensure their well-being and to educate visitors about their behaviors and needs.
Hibernation
While grizzly bears in the wild hibernate for six months or longer, Tundra and Kootenai do not truly hibernate in the zoo, as they have access to food year-round. However, they are given the option to sleep as much as they need, and sometimes they will sleep for several days in the colder months.
Grizzly Bear Facts
Grizzly bears are fascinating creatures with unique physical characteristics and behaviors.
Physical Description
- Size: Grizzly bears can range from 3 to 9 feet in length and weigh between 300-700 pounds.
- Distinctive Features: Grizzly bears have a muscular shoulder hump and large front paws with long claws.
Diet
In the wild, grizzly bears are omnivorous, eating a variety of plants, fish, and small mammals. At the Denver Zoo, they are fed a seasonal diet including fruits, vegetables, meat, and nuts.
Behavior
Grizzly bears are usually solitary, living and hunting alone, except for mating pairs and females with cubs. They are known for their sharp sense of smell, ability to run up to 40 mph, and their hibernation habits.
Additional Resources
The Denver Zoo offers several resources to enhance the visitor experience and educate the public about grizzly bears.
Virtual Safari
The Denver Zoo’s virtual safari video featuring Tundra provides an up-close look at her training, favorite treats, and her journey to the zoo.
Conservation Plush
The zoo sells an eco-friendly grizzly bear plush toy made from recycled materials, with a hangtag featuring tips on reducing plastic waste and educational information about grizzly bears.
News and Updates
Tundra has been featured in news articles for her hibernation preparations, with the zoo sharing time-lapse videos of her den-building activities.
Exploring the Denver Zoo’s Grizzly Bear exhibit is a unique and educational experience that allows visitors to learn about the importance of coexisting with these magnificent creatures. From the immersive Harmony Hill exhibit to the personal stories of Tundra and Kootenai, this exhibit offers a glimpse into the lives of grizzly bears and the conservation efforts to protect them.
References:
– Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance Grizzly Bear Plush. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://shop.denverzoo.org/grizzly-bear-plush
– Zoo to You Virtual Safari: Tundra the Grizzly bear. (2020, May 7). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpXW6axqFSg
– 5 Reasons to Visit Denver Zoo’s New Grizzly Bear Exhibit. (2019, May 30). Retrieved from https://www.denver.org/blog/post/grizzly-bear-exhibit/
– Grizzly Bear – Denver Zoo. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://denverzoo.org/animals/grizzly-bear/
– Tundra The Grizzly Bear Prepares For Hibernation By Digging Den. (2019, November 14). Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/tundra-grizzly-bear-denver-zoo/.