For the first time in Zoo Miami’s history, an Andean bear can now be seen by visitors. The 6-year-old female named Brienne, arrived at Zoo Miami on June 4th from the National Zoo in Washington D.C. Upon arrival, she was placed in a quarantine area for close observation and to ensure that she was adjusting well following the transport. Once she was cleared by the Animal Health department, she was transferred to what was previously the lowland gorilla enclosure which, after some modifications, will be her new home.
For the past week, Brienne has been given access to the outdoor habitat that she has cautiously explored, gradually venturing out further each day. Her access to the habitat will be limited at first with expanded times as she becomes more comfortable with her new environment.
Andean bears are sometimes called spectacled bears because of the light-colored rings that can develop around their eyes. These markings can vary greatly and some individuals, like Brienne, have very limited markings. Females are usually between 125-175 pounds. Males can grow to be significantly larger, sometimes exceeding 300 pounds…