The (Brown) Bears are Back!

The Bears that Broke the Internet (and their Exhibit Glass) Return to in their Habitat

Photo opportunity is set for 9:00 a.m. sharp. Please arrive and check in at the Zoos Guest Services Desk no later than 8:45 a.m. For photos and video, please contact Josh Le at josh.le@state.mn.us or (952) 431-9534.

Apple Valley, MINN July 17, 2015 The internets most famous bears are returning to their award-winning public habitat at the Minnesota Zoo at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, after spending 12 days behind the scenes as a result of damage to their exhibit.

On Monday, July 6, one of the Minnesota Zoos three brown bears pushed a large rock against the glass wall of his exhibit, splintering the glass like a car windshield. The result of the bears natural behavior, and the subsequent glass damage (which caused no danger to either humans or animals), became an internet sensation. Since the incident, the Zoo has tracked nearly 1.3 billion unique visitors to websites carrying the bear story.

Minnesota Zoo staff worked quickly to find a safe, temporary solution to repair the glass pane in the exhibit pool. Complete repairs will take place this fall, after the Zoos peak season subsides. While on hiatus behind the scenes, Haines, Kenai and Sadie have been enjoying fun and tasty enrichment prepared by zookeepers, as well as a pool to keep cool on warm summer days.

The award-winning Russias Grizzly Coast exhibit simulates the natural habitat of these bears and features grassland, streams, a pool and rock formations that encourage daily enrichment, play and exploration. The exhibits three non-releasable brown bears came to the Minnesota Zoo in 2008 after they were found orphaned in Alaska. Russias Grizzly Coast is also home to sea otters, wild boar and Amur leopards.

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. Open year round, the Zoo is one of the States premier cultural attractions serving 1.2 million visitors annually. With a mission to connect people, animals and the natural world to save wildlife, the Zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Learn more at mnzoo.org or by calling 952.431.9500.

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