Calgary Zoo is revealing their new ‘white’ black bear to visitors. Even though she arrived at the zoo during the August of 2013 she has not been on exhibit yet. This was due to the bear’s natural hibernation over winter. The zoo also took time to allow her to become familiar with her habitat.
Zoo staff such as curator, Mike Teller are very excited by the new arrival ‘We are so pleased to welcome a bear with this striking colouration,’ he said.
The bear needed to be relocated to the zoo after she became a problem bear within the community. She was rescued from Elkford, BC where she was posing a danger to members of the community. By taking this animal in they have saved it from being destroyed.
Teller said ‘“She is an important reminder of the danger of animals becoming habituated to humans and we will be able to share her story as we educate our visitors about these issues.’
She appears like one of the spirit bears from British Colombia but she is not part of this subspecies. The white colouration comes from the same gene but she is not from the region these bears inhabit.
The zoo is requesting the public’s help in naming her. They are looking for a name which is unique as her colouring. You can find the naming competition here- Bear Naming Competition | Calgary Zoo.
Photo Credit: Calgary Zoo
