Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS
July 25, 2019
A Sleuth of Wonder
- as seen by -
Brent Atkinson
In the heart of WCS’s Bronx Zoo, you may come across an exhibit resembling a rocky mountain terrain with large boulders, pine trees, streams, pools, and a cave. Living there is a sleuth of bears. “Sleuth” is the name for a group of bears. At our zoo, you will find either a sleuth of three adult brown bears and an adult grizzly bear or three smaller juvenile grizzly bears.
Brown bears are the most widely distributed species of bear in world. They make their homes on the continents of North America, Asia, or Europe. Many people ask if grizzly bears are brown bears. If you think yes, you are right. If you say no, you are also right, but with certain conditions.
Grizzly bears are a subspecies of brown bears, but they have their differences. Grizzlies are smaller than brown bears and have a “dished-in face” with lighter-tipped or grizzled-looking fur, hence how they get their name. Also, geographical location can distinguish grizzly bears. True grizzly bears live more inland in certain regions while brown bears are mostly found on coastlines. In short, all grizzlies are brown bears but not all brown bears are grizzlies.
There are many fun things about our bears. They love to swim, wrestle with each other (above), stretch (what we like to call “bear yoga”), and enjoy the enrichment we provide for them such as foraging for food treats and more.
Come by and see our sleuth of bears and watch the wonder for yourself.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks to our keepers! Watch for zookeeper stories on Wild View and activities at zoos and aquariums near you during National Zookeeper Week 2019 from July 21-27.
Nikon D5
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