Newest Member Of Salisbury Zoo To Be Introduced TODAY At 1pm

Salisbury Zoo – Acting Director Ann Konopik and Mayor Ireton to Introduce Newest Member of Salisbury Zoo Family at 1pm on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at the Andean Bear exhibit

On Wednesday, May 1st the Salisbury Zoo received a beautiful young female Andean Bear from the National Zoo. Her name is Chaska, which means the Inca goddess of Venus, the guardian of young maidens and flowers. And a goddess she is, to the Zoo! After the loss of the Salisbury Zoo's beloved Andean Bear Poopsie, one of the oldest Andean Bears in the world, Chaska’s arrival brings a lively companion to the Zoo’s other Andean Bear, Gritto. 

Chaska was born three years ago at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. where she had one litter mate. 

Acting Zoo Director Ann Konopik has stated, “We at the Zoo are so very excited with the addition of a new Andean Bear. It has been several years since the Zoo has exhibited such a young, active and agile bear. We are even more excited with the prospect of breeding 
Chaska with our current male bear. Our participation in the managed breeding program is possible due to the American Zoological Association accreditation of the Salisbury Zoo.”

The Salisbury Zoo participates in the Andean Bear Species Survival Plan. Chaska’s presence here at the Salisbury Zoo is significant in that she is a good genetic match for the Zoo’s managed breeding program. The captive Andean Bear population is starting to age and 
these younger animals like Chaska are vital to continue to re-populate through attrition. 

Did you know . . .

...that Andean bears are the only bears that are primarily vegetarians, excellent tree climbers and may build tree nests for sleeping and they are native to South America?

...these bears are named for the light coloration around their eyes, which resemble spectacles or glasses?

…that male Andean Bears can weigh more than 300 pounds?