Big Bear Today Magazine November 2020

Page 4—November 2020
ourtyard-style entrance with pavers
and gas fireplace. Expanded
gift shop and interior displays.
Even exterior landscaping lining the street
up Clubview.
Most importantly, expanded living
space for the residents.
After two decades of starts and stops,
location changes and seemingly endless
delays, Big Bear Alpine Zoo is set to open
the doors at its new facility with a soft
grand opening on November 5 with presentations
at 9 a.m., ribbon cutting 9:30.
Soft may be the operative phrase as
work on interior buildings including the
main entrance still was not complete at
press time. Then again, current conditions
don’t allow much to happen indoors anyway.
But otherwise the new zoo is ready is
strut its stuff with nearly 100 animals relocated
during the past several weeks after
the old location across from Bear Mountain
closed.
There’s a lot to like about the new zoo,
as the animals enjoy more room and guests
are closer to them for viewing. A pathway
essentially circles the 5.6 developed acre
facility that’s more than double the previous
size. Animal enclosures are essentially
on the inside of the loop, with the black
bears the first residents guests encounter
after arriving, with great views through
glass windows.
The bears even enjoy their own pri-
Big Bear Today
With bigger enclosures, fire pit new zoo worth waiting for
C
vate rock-lined swimming pool that’s already
proven a favorite since they were relocated.
Even three-legged Hucklebeary,
missing his right front limb, is getting in
on the fun after its entry slope was modified
to accommodate him. Other black
bears Zuni and Holly have been splashing
in the water though the pools likely will
be drained for winter till warmer weather.
At the other end of the park, the wellpublicized
grizzly bears also enjoy their
own pools and even stream. Mama Tutu
and offspring Ayla and Harley, who arrived
in Big Bear two decades ago after raiding
one campground too many in Yellowstone,
were the first animals to be moved
Which was not a simple task. In fact
keepers had to train the bears to go into
different areas separately just so they could
be sedated. Now their larger enclosure sees
them lounging in a mulch-filled dig pit
when they’re not in the water. Big Bear
Alpine Zoo is still one of only two parks
in California where the state’s symbol, the
grizzly bear, can be seen. See them at rest
or play through extra-thick glass viewing.
Relocating one-eyed Himalayan snow
leopard sisters Asha and Shanti was another
challenge. Before the move exams
under sedation showed both cats have suffered
significant deterioration in their remaining
eyes so while they had memorized
every inch of their old space, no one knew
how they’d fare in a new one.
For a
few days after
they were
moved the
snow leopards
barely
stuck their
heads outside.
Fears
were they
wouldn’t be
able to take
advantage of
Daily pool parties for grizzlies, black bears at new Big Bear Alpine Zoo (left)
the special 15-foot structure built just for
them. After a couple weeks they were spotted
on top of it and have since been exploring
their surroundings.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo’s resident timber
wolves also have more room to roam
with double enclosure that allows them
more trotting space than before. Raccoons,
bobcats, mountain lions and other animals
have been adjusting to their new digs. Reptile
room and nocturnal animal buildings
are other highlights.
For popular animal presentations by
staff there’s a new stage and benches.
Brand new picnic area and kid’s playground
with equipment donated by the
Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo are
other amenities, even a climbing wall!
There’s also a donor wall for recognition.
To continue its behind-the-scenes
work—80% of the animals that arrive are
returned to the wild during rescue and rehabilitation
efforts—the new zoo has expanded
medical and rehab facilities plus
food preparation room. In all the property
sits on about 10 acres with the eastern end
left as empty space for flood mitigation.
Guests will find a new parking lot at
the zoo on the property’s east side next to
Rathbun Creek. There’s a path and bridge
leading to the new welcome center.
The zoo’s price tag, once thought to
be around $8 million, soared to over $18
million after several years of delays. Plans
were drawn by renowned firm PGAV Designers,
same company that created the famous
Georgia Aquarium.
The zoo is open daily starting Nov. 5
from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $15, $10
ages 3-10/60 and over, under three free.
The zoo is at 747 Clubview Dr. at
Moonridge Rd. Call (909) 584-1299.
Creature comforts for residents including snow leopards (left), plus people at
new Big Bear Alpine Zoo