Real Bears

These Brookfield Zoo Bears are the real Chicago Bears, seen here relaxing in their water feature area. The two brown bears have three polar bear neighbors, to be seen in the next post.

Chicago Bears

These ponderous, wonderful creatures are the real Chicago Bears. Here the black bears walk along the rocks or step into the pool. A great viewing location.

In the Water

The viewing area for the two underwater tanks allows visitors to see either or both from the same location. On this day, both of the black bears were enjoying a dip.

Bears on the Prowl

Just over a year ago, Brookfield Zoo added the new Bear Territory and is it worth a look. Three separate pens, two of which have underwater viewing capability, make it easy to enjoy watching the two black bear and the three polar bears.

For Cub Fans

The star of our show, the child of the parents we saw in the previous post, was in the third pen when I first saw him. In his pond, the had interest in a log and as he worked at it, we found eventually that some kind of treat had been tucked into the log for him. Proud of himself, he enjoyed his little snack before climbing out to dry off.

We will see him on dry land in the next post.

Momma and Poppa Bear

The Polar Bear pair found in a second area are the parents of the huge cub we have not yet seen. Looking every inch the equal of the Polar Bear stars of numerous animated Coke commercials, they walk about the area and then locate a comfortable area to rest.

The new exhibit area I saw them in is interesting in that one of the bears was resting in an area he could be seen from outside though not clearly. But walking into the underwater viewing area, I looked back and saw him well-framed as if I was looking out from inside his lair!

500th Post

My 500th post completes my look at the Brookfield Zoo Grizzlies. As we turn from these imposing specimens to the trio of Polar Bears, I was struck with a Chicago Bear analysis. These grizzlies remind me of the football linemen, large athletes with power and grace, overshadowed in some viewers minds by the backs and receivers and linebackers.

The Polar Bears, my equivalent of these noted Bears, will be seen in the next post.

My 499th Post

Coming up to a milestone, the 500th post, we continue to look into the Bear Wilderness at Brookfield Zoo. Here one of the Grizzly Bears is in his pool working on a tasty treat which looked a lot like one of the rawhide toys that bigger dogs gnaw at. At first it looked as if Mr. Bear had nabbed a smooth white fish in his well-kept pond.

One more post, the 500th, will look at the grizzlies one more time before moving, shall we say, to the north?

Grizzly Bears

The new Bear Wilderness features three separate pens, and all three can be home to each of the Bears on a rotating basis. The first pen I came to had the two Grizzly Bears, seen here on the prowl in their large and attractive new home. As you look into the pen, the area to your right has a sizable water feature which the bears can access and which we shall see in an upcoming post.

The size and strength of these majestic animals is much more clearly seen here than in the older, cramped quarters. The bears have plenty of room to move about freely.