STATUS OF BEAR WELFARE

Status of Bear Welfare in Cherokee, North Carolina
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION....................6
Author Biographies...................................................................................................................... 6
Rob Laidlaw ............................................................................................................................ 6
Lydia Lefebvre ........................................................................................................................ 6
Else Poulsen ........................................................................................................................... 6
Dr. Debi Zimmerman............................................................................................................... 7
How Modern Zoos Care for Bears .............................................................................................. 7
Bear Species Discussed in This Report ................................................................................. 8
What Bears Expect ................................................................................................................. 8
Behavior-Based Bear Husbandry ........................................................................................... 8
Daily Routines......................................................................................................................... 9
Seasonal Routines................................................................................................................ 11
DEFICIENCY REPORT..............15
Overview ................................................................................................................................... 15
Chief Saunooke Bear Park ................................................................................................... 16
Cherokee Bear Zoo...............................................................................................................16
Santa’s Land ......................................................................................................................... 16
Enclosure Design ...................................................................................................................... 17
Lack of Space ....................................................................................................................... 17
Lack of Privacy...................................................................................................................... 17
Pits (Chief Saunooke Bear Park and Cherokee Bear Zoo) .................................................. 18
Cages (Santa’s Land) ........................................................................................................... 20
AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORT OF CHIEF SAUNOOKE BEAR PARK, CHEROKEE BEAR ZOO, AND SANTA’S LAND | 3