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GET BEAR AWARE AT THE HOUSTON ZOO
Bear Awareness Day is Saturday, October 1
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

(09/28/2011)

(HOUSTON) September 28, 2011 … Black bears are making a comeback in Louisiana and there have been a number of verified sightings in Texas. If you enjoy camping, chances are improving that you might spot a bear on a camping trip this fall.

Get bear aware at the Houston Zoo and find out what you need to know to share the great outdoors with these amazing animals during Bear Awareness Day on Saturday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

During Bear Awareness Day, our keepers will offer timely camping tips with dramatic assistance from our Andean bears and grizzly bears during “Good Camper/Bad Camper Theatre” presentations at 11 a.m. (grizzly bear exhibit) and 2 p.m. (Andean bear exhibit). In humorous skits, our keepers will demonstrate best practices for hiking in bear country and how to make your campsite “bear proof.”

Bear Awareness Day at the Houston Zoo is designed to enlighten and educate the public about the integral role that bears play in nature, as well as the importance of respecting biological diversity.

Black bears (Ursus americanus) are a part of the heritage of Texas. Historically, black bears were widely distributed throughout all major eco-regions in Texas prior to 1820. Their last strongholds in East Texas were in the swamps and thickets of the Big Thicket Region of southeast Texas. The majority of the remaining bears were exterminated from this area during the period between 1900 and 1940.

Today, black bears are returning to their historic range in Texas. Since 1977, The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has documented black bear sightings and mortalities in Texas. Observations in the 1990s indicate the return of a few black bears to the remote forests of East Texas, primarily composed of transient, solitary males. There is no current evidence of a resident breeding population of black bears in East Texas; however, increased sightings combined with bear recovery and range expansion in bordering Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma will increase bear occurrence and activity in East Texas in the next few years.

Founded in 1922, the Houston Zoo is an exciting live animal adventure that provides a unique educational and conservation resource serving more than 1.8 million guests annually. Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, the Zoo is home to more than 6,000 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. Visitors can experience the wonders of Africa at The African Forest, the new 6.5 acre, $40 million addition featuring chimps, rhinos, and giraffes. Travel to Africa. No Passport Required.

The Houston Zoo is located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive in beautiful Hermann Park. The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during Central Standard Time (last admission at 5 p.m.) and from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. during Central Daylight Time (last admission at 6 p.m.). The Zoo is closed Christmas Day. Regular admission is $12 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $8 for children ages 2-11 and FREE for children under 2. Visit the courtesy booth at your neighborhood Fiesta Mart and purchase an adult Zoo admission for $10 and a child Zoo admission for $7. Zoo memberships start at only $55. For information on all the great benefits of becoming a Zoo member call (713) 533-6713 or visit our Web site at www.houstonzoo.org.

Ride METRORail to the Houston Zoo from the Fannin South Park and Ride lot. With frequent service, METRORail is a convenient answer to traffic congestion in the Texas Medical Center/Hermann Park/Museum District corridor. For METRORail information, visit www.ridemetro.org.

Operated by the not-for-profit Houston Zoo, Inc., the Houston Zoo is dedicated to the conservation of endangered species, the provision of engaging educational opportunities and the creation of stimulating exhibits that broaden the experiences of our guests and encourage their curiosity.

The Houston Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information visit www.aza.org.

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