Oh honey! Rescued bears will find new home at Brevard Zoo

Bear with us, because we can "bearly" resist the bear puns.

Brevard Zoo, known as a leader in the fields of animal wellness, education and conservation, is doing its part to make the lives of bears more ... well, bearable.

The zoo is working with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to provide a home for bears who cannot remain in their natural habitat. The exhibit, scheduled to open in early 2019, also will teach guests a thing or two about the adorable, adaptable creatures.

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The new habitat's first resident will be a 20-month old Florida black bear, who has not yet been named. She was brought to the zoo from Tallahassee in August, after FWC responded to a report of a woman feeding dog food to a bear.

Because the bear had learned to rely on the woman for food, the bear couldn't care for herself without interacting with humans.

“Florida’s bear population is on the rise, which is wonderful,” said the zoo Executive Director Keith Winsten in a news release. “However, as their habitat shrinks and our numbers grow, we’re seeing more conflict between bears and humans — often with lethal consequences for the bear."

If the bear hadn't been rescued and brought to the zoo, she would have been euthanized. Instead, she has found a permanent home and formed bonds with keepers who describe her as smart and curious.

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"This new space will teach our guests how to be ‘bear aware’ and coexist with these animals," Winsten said, "specifically by ensuring they don’t become dependent on us for food.”

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There are particular challenges to building a habitat for bears, which are naturally strong, curious and great climbers. According to Elliot Zirulnik, the zoo's communications manager, the space needs to be safe for both the bear and zoo guests. Every tree and structure must be carefully analyzed, and the area must be natural enough to keep the bear engaged.

"Bears are foragers; we’re looking at innovative ways to 'hide' their food around the habitat," Zirulnik said. "They need different types of terrain; the yard will have areas covered in grass, soil and rock. We’re also building a pool for her because bears love spending time in the water."

The habitat will cost roughly $300,000 to build. Donors contributed about two thirds of that amount at the zoo's Safari Under the Stars fundraiser in April.

Zirulnik said the zoo plans to use signage, interactive elements and keeper chats to tell the story of his bear to prevent similar things from happening to other bears.  

Are you interested in contributing to the bear habitat? Contact Tracy Steele at tsteele@brevardzoo.org, or call 321-254-9453, ext. 234.

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LaFortune hosts "The FLORIDA TODAY Show," which airs at 5:30 p.m. Sundays on WEFS.

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