PHILADELPHIA – Visitors to the Philadelphia Zoo are being treated to a perspective rarely seen in the wild: looking up to see a bear strolling directly overhead. The Zoo officially opened its highly anticipated Francis J. Carey Bear Country this week, a $25 million facility that represents the largest new construction project at the historic campus since 2013. The centerpiece of the exhibit is the Gould & Potter Crossing, a 60-foot-long, elevated trail that allows the Zoo's resident bears to roam 16 feet above the heads of guests.
A First for Bear Exploration
The Gould & Potter Crossing is the newest addition to the Zoo's acclaimed Zoo360 trail system—a pioneering network of mesh pathways that allows animals to traverse the zoo grounds safely. While previous iterations of the trail have featured big cats, lemurs, and monkeys, this marks the first time the system has been adapted for bears.
"At Philadelphia Zoo, our mission is to flourish as an urban oasis where people and animals thrive, transformative memories are made, and our passion for conservation helps save wildlife," said Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman, President & CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo. "When our guests see our bears walk over their heads, they will have a moment of awe they will remember for years to come."
World-Class Animal Care
Carey Bear Country was designed to exceed the rigorous standards set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The expansion provides 60% more space for the animals by adding a third bear habitat, giving the bears significantly more room to roam. The facility is equipped with naturalistic features, including 14-foot climbing structures, foraging pits, and heated pools for drinking and play. To support long-term animal well-being, the exhibit includes specialized behind-the-scenes denning spaces designed for cub rearing and aging animals. Guests are also offered new ways to interact with the space, including cave-like glass viewing areas for nose-to-nose encounters and interactive educational signage focusing on global bear conservation.
Meet the Residents
Carey Bear Country is now the home of three vulnerable bear species, each with unique personalities and conservation stories. The residents include Turbo, a 15-year-old male Andean bear who enjoys "smashing" enrichment bones to reach the marrow, and his mate Alba, an 11-year-old female Andean bear known for her intelligence and skill at building elaborate nests in high-climbing structures. They are joined by Bhalu, a 13-year-old male sloth bear native to the lowland forests of India and Nepal, who is known for his love of honey water and peanut butter. The Zoo currently plans to reunite Bhalu with his mate, Kayla, and their two new cubs in about two years, once the cubs are fully weaned and ready for their new home in Philadelphia.
Conservation in Action
Both Andean bears and sloth bears are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), facing threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
"We are so proud of our animal care specialists—they have done an extraordinary job helping our bears adjust to their new homes," said Vice President of Animal Wellbeing Rachel Metz.
Carey Bear Country is now open to the public daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and is included with general admission and Zoo membership. The facility also includes new family-friendly amenities, including a dedicated nursing suite and several gender-neutral and family restrooms to ensure a comfortable experience for all guests.
