April 2021 Big Bear Today Magazine

Big Bear Today April 2021—Page 9
Bear fun shifts from snow to water
Grizzly and black bears love to romp
in the snow, but as the seasons change so
do their play opportunities. The water just
changes from frozen to liquid.
As spring arrives the bruins at Big
Bear Alpine Zoo, open daily 10 a.m.-4
p.m., are again able to enjoy their own private
rock-lined seasonal swimming pool,
drained for winter but now flowing again
with the warmer weather. Even threelegged
Hucklebeary, missing his right front
limb, gets in on the fun after the entry slope
was modified to accommodate him. Other
black bears Zuni and Holly also got to
splash.
There’s a lot to like at the new zoo, as
animals enjoy more room and guests are
closer than ever for viewing. A pathway
circles the 5.6 developed acre facility that’s
more than double the previous size. Animal
enclosures are typically on the inside of
the loop, with black bears the first residents
guests encounter after arriving,
Talk about close-up viewing! The
bears like to doze in the sun next to the
enclosure’s glass wall, putting them just
millimeters away from viewers awed by
inches-long claws and massive feet.
“The bears love the glass panel,” said
Bill Hoffman, Big Bear Alpine Zoo’s new
curator who took over about the same time
as the move. “They’ll sleep right up against
it. You cannot get closer to a bear than this.”
After two decades of starts and stops,
location changes and seemingly endless
delays, Big Bear Alpine Zoo has proven
worth the wait. Nearly 100 animals were
Year-Round
Christmas Room!
Our rooms are
filled with gifts
and treasures
from nearly
20 artists!
Come Up the Historic Staircase of the 1920's Navajo Hotel
• Bear-ly Used
Books
• Jerky
• Pottery
• Aprons
• Sports
Memorabilia
• Everything
Bears & More
moved from the old location across from
Bear Mountain to a state-of-the-art facility
in lower Moonridge which opened its
doors in November. Those doors were shut
a month later by state mandate, but while
the humans had to stay away, it gave the
animals more time to adjust to their new
digs.
Last residents to be moved were the
zoo’s program birds which are brought out
for educational presentations in late
January. Including great horned owl
Cowboy, made famous on the Big Bear
float in the Rose Parade two years ago.
Other raptors like Hootie, Rem, Yuhaviat,
and Alice Cooper are all settling nicely into
their new homes.
Moving 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 home,
no one knew how they’d fare in a new one.
For a few days after they were
relocated the snow leopards barely stuck
their heads outside. Fears were that they
wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the
special 15-foot structure build 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 five resident
gray wolves also have room to roam with
double enclosure that allows them to trot
back and forth Before the move the wolves
Open 7 Days
a week
Big Bear's from 9:30 a.m.
Shopping Experience
There is not “Anything” we do not have!
Village Faire
40794 Village Dr.
(909) 866-8220
Above the Leather Depot in Big Bear Village
Pool time for grizzly mama Tutu;
snow leopards at home in new home
had formed distinct packs but the
move to a new home has meant they
can all be kept together again.
“Moving to a new zoo is a
unique opportunity to put together
animals you couldn’t before,”
Hoffman said.
Two mountain lions who have
lived at the zoo since they were
kittens are now becoming senior
citizens with a touch of arthritis. So
their new home features ramps they
can climb and a sleeping area in back.
Raccoons, bobcats, fallow and
mule deer, bald and golden eagles
Continued on page 10
Full Hot & Cold Deli
Groceries • Firewood & Propane • Spirits • Lotto
Try Our Famous
Rotisserie Chicken
& Kabobs!
We cut the highest
Quality Meats
Daily
Award
Winners:
1st
Liquor
2nd
Groceries
2017
Chamber of
Commerce
Excellence
in Business!
Fully-Cooked Delicious Heat & Serve Meals Like Tri-Tip,
Smoked Pork Loin, Enchiladas & More! • Fresh Produce Too!
(909) 585-2641 • Open 7 Days
Community Market
100 E. Big Bear Blvd. (at Greenway) • Big Bear City
1 mile east of The Convention Center