Spotlight on Andean Bears
Have you met the Zoo’s Andean bears, Worf and Lucy? Here are some fun facts about these playful bears:
- Andean bears are the only bears found in South America.
- They are sometimes referred to as spectacled bears, because of the white rings around their eyes.
- Male Andean bears are much larger than females; the Zoo’s male bear outweighs the female by over 200 lbs!
- Andean bears are great climbers; the Zoo’s bears can sometimes be found perched atop the large tree structure in their habitat.
- Andean bears are classified as vulnerable in their native habitat; human encroachment and loss of habitat are serious threats to these animals.
At Reid Park Zoo
- Male Worf (born 1992)and female Lucy (born 1994) have shared a habitat since the Zoo’s South America loop opened in 1996. They have had two offspring that have gone to start families at other zoos.
- When Worf gets hot, he likes to cool off by sitting in his pool.
