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BERRY MERRY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION BRINGS JOY, BEAR EDUCATION - 25 December, 2003
by Heather Baughman, Managing Editor
Rockland County Times
For the 10th time in as many years, the twin bears at Bear Mountain Zoo, along with children young and old, celebrated a Berry Merry Holiday on Saturday.
Jennifer Verstraete, head zookeeper at the Bear Mountain Zoo, said, "this is a very fun event. We have events like this three times a year."
"Today is our Berry Merry Holiday party where we celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas," she said.
The bears' enclosure was all decorated for the holidays. There were trees and presents and all sorts of treats just waiting for the bears to come out.
According to Verstraete, the event was part of an animal enrichment program, which is designed to stimulate the bears mentally and physically. The program is part of a national endeavor in which many zoos take part.
"This event keeps the bears active, as well as providing great entertainment for children young and old," said Verstraete. "It also gives them a chance to ask a lot of questions as to why the bears are doing what they're doing, like why they're tearing into the boxes."
According to Verstraete, the bear's strongest sense is that of smell.
"They're actually sniffing out the peanuts, acorns, mealworms, raisins and all sorts of bear treats," she said. "Bears do have a sweet tooth, but when they go into beehives, it’s usually not for the honey, but for the bee larvae … they love insects.”
Verstraete said that while bears eat predominantly vegetation, they are opportunists.
“They sometimes do eat meat,” she said. “They are opportunists, so they might eat a winter weakened animal, or tear into garbage cans, which is why people need to make sure their garbage cans are secured.”
Verstraete also added that the treats that the bears would be receiving that day are safe for them.
“We took apart all the boxes to remove any tape or staples,” she said. “Everything is glued together with honey and frosting. Over there is a marshmallow menorah … and we have shoestring licorice instead of tinsel. And of course we have candy canes.”
Verstraete said, “we have to remember that these bears are a minimum of 300 pounds, but they are very sweet animals. Black bears are the most docile of the bear species.”
The twin bears at the Bear Mountain Zoo are 16-year old females. They came to the zoo in 1988.
“They were born in captivity and when the facility they were in was being renovated, they came here,” said Verstraete. “That facility was since re-opened, but part of the agreement was that we would keep the bears. Their mother used to be here, too, but, sadly, she died three summers ago from a stroke.”
The enrichment program was begun at the Bear Mountain Zoo about 11 years ago.
“We started this to keep the animals active,” said Verstraete, adding that the Bear Mountain Zoo is the only Zoo in new York State funded by Albany; the rest of the zoos are privately owned (SEE PROJECTS:TRAILSIDE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PLANS TO UPGRADE THE ZOO)
“All the animals at this zoo are native to New York State and are nonreleasable,” she said. “When we say nonreleasable, we mean that they cannot survive in the wild. We have a good relationship with local wildlife rehabilitation centers. The animals come here and serve as sort of ambassadors for their species.”
Verstraete said that about 400,000 people visit the Bear Mountain Zoo each year.
“It’s great because we can educate kids … and adults … about the wildlife,” she said. “That’s the same reason that we don’t breed at this zoo. The babies are adorable, but then you have to find a placement for them … we choose not to add to the surplus.”
The bears, as well as all the other animals at the zoo, receive regular vet care from the wildlife specialist at the valley Cottage Animal Hospital.
“They do very extensive tests,” Verstraete said. “They get blood work done and all sorts of monitoring.”
She added that special care was taken on days like the holiday party, when more sweets would be consumed.
“We modify their diets the day before and the day after to account for this,” said Verstraete. “We make sure that they’re getting the right vitamins that they need to be healthy. We want to make sure their diet is healthy and positive for them.”
Jack Focht, director of Trailside Museums and Zoo, said, “this is a very nice event. We do one at Halloween and have an egg hunt in the spring. It’s really neat to see this holiday event …I think you’ll be really impressed,” he told the Rockland County Tomes prior to the bears being released into their holiday party.
Elaine Feller, office manager/secretary, agreed that the bear events were fun.
“It’s fun to watch them tear into their presents. They go crazy for the goodies,” she said.
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