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Fortress of the Bears

The Great Plain’s Zoo’s “Fortress of the Bears” exhibit, featuring four Brown Bear cubs, opened in June 2018. The project renovated and expanded one of the Zoo’s oldest and most popular exhibits to provide enhanced viewing and educational opportunities for the Zoo’s more 300,000 annual visitors. Visitors love seeing the lively Brown Bear cubs play and interact with each other in their new pond, lush meadow and bear canyon. A training demonstration window also gives visitors the chance to view behavioral training by zookeepers. Guests can watch up close as zookeepers get the Bears to present a paw or open their mouth as part of a health routine exam.

Not only does the exhibit add enriching habitats for the Zoo’s Bears, Fortress of the Bears creates interactive opportunities for the whole family, including a playground and a field research station for children. Visitors also are able to enjoy regularly scheduled activities like Zookeeper Chats and training demonstrations. 

Gpz Bear Interior View 1 Smaller Size Bear Exhibit Aerial

Meet Our Four Brown Bear Cubs

Juneau and Sitka

Say “hello” to Juneau and Sitka, two of the four Bears that call Fortress of the Bears “home." These playful sisters were rescued after they were orphaned near Yellowstone National Park. The Great Plains Zoo collaborated with the Palm Beach Zoo and Indianapolis Zoo to provide them with exceptional care before they arrived at their new exhibit. Zookeepers say that Sitka is known as a “bone thief” and likes to steal her sister Juneau’s treats! See Juneau, Sitka, and the rest of the Fortress of the Bear residents at their exhibit.

Brown Bear at the Great Plains Zoo

Juneau

Brown Bear at the Great Plains Zoo

Sitka

Katmai and Kodiak

Meet Katmai and Kodiak! This brother-sister duo was rescued after being found orphaned in Cold Bay, Alaska, last year. The Great Plains Zoo worked with government officials and other zoos to get them to their new home in the Fortress of the Bears. Katmai and Kodiak love to wrestle and play, and you’ll often hear Katmai getting vocal around food. She loves meat, fish, bones and honey! See all four Brown Bear cubs up-close in their exhibit, Fortress of the Bears!

Brown Bear at Great Plains Zoo

Katmai

Brown Bear at the Great Plains Zoo

Kodiak


 

  • Love this zoo! Great place to get a walk in and the animals are everywhere! The museum/indoor part is very educational too. Has a lot of shade for when it's hot out. Very clean. Friendly staff.

    Taylor F.

  • We love to visit the zoo. They have great outdoor exhibits and lots to do inside as well. Great for kids and adults.

    Robin A.

  • Lots of great exhibits and animals to see! Fun gift shop and learning center.

    Stephanie N.

  • The museum gives you a break from the sun on hot summer days and has a great selection of animal exhibits from around the world.  The zoo keeps growing and adding new animal habitats or improving existing ones.  Membership offers reciprocal benefits to other zoos around the country.

    Bill T.
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