It’s a Bear-y Good Saturday to Visit the North Carolina Zoo

ASHEBORO, NC – To paraphrase the famous song, “…look for the Bear Necessities…forget about your worries and your strife.”

On Saturday, April 8, the North Carolina Zoo invites guests to forget about their worries at “Bear Necessities,” a special event focusing on the Zoo’s bear-y furry friends – the American black bear, grizzly bear and polar bear.

Scheduled from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., the event will feature games and activities designed to encourage conservation and education about the different species of bears, themed craft activities at Kidzone and special giveaways. Zoo animal experts will offer a demonstration on campsite setup inside the grizzly bear habitat, designed to showcase why hikers and campers should use caution in areas occupied by these powerful North American brown bears.

“Bear Necessities” also provides kids the chance to bring their own bears – those from the very popular “Teddy Bear” species – for a complete checkup by an actual North Carolina Zoo veterinarian.  Zoo vets will set up their temporary Teddy Bear Checkup Clinic at the Prairie Outpost Plaza and stand ready to diagnose any frayed stitches, broken buttons or (gasp!) any loose arms, legs, eyes, ears or noses. 

“Bear Necessities” activities are included in regular admission to the North Carolina Zoo. Events subject to change without notice.

About the North Carolina Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo provides an experience like no other zoo anywhere. With five miles of exhibits, nearly 1,600 animals and 52,000 plants it is the largest natural habitat zoo in the world and an international leader in wildlife conservation.

Find yourself surrounded by some of Africa’s giants including elephants, rhinos, and giraffes; share the love of gorillas with Mosuba and his six-member troop; welcome polar bear Nikita as he joins Anana in polar plunges every day at their Rocky Coast Exhibit; or join in the fun at the mud café in the Kidzone.

Located in the center of the state in Asheboro, it is convenient to visit from anywhere in North Carolina. The North Carolina Zoo welcomes nearly 800,000 guests each year. Plan your adventure at www.nczoo.org

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources 

The North Carolina Zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susi H. Hamilton, NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C.  Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

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