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| The story of Ben and Bernice - Two American Black Bears | |||
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Ben and Bernice are two adult American Black Bears. They are old and homeless for a second time, with no prospects for continuing to live long and contented lives. That was until you gave your donation, which helped Papanack Animal Park begin to build a beautiful new facility for them to live out their lives. The first time they were made homeless was when they were cubs - orphaned by their mothers at the hand of man. Ben was found lonely, starving and covered in ticks and porcupine quills. |
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Bernice was also found hungry and crying for her mother, who was lying next to her,
to comfort and feed her. Her mother would never answer those cries. She has been
shot and skinned, her baby left to perish. Fortunately the young cubs were rescued and
with dedication they were soon restored to full health. It was then that they were to make
their home at a Zoo in Northern Ontario and live happily for the next ten years. |
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| Tragedy struck for the second time
when the Zoo was to close, and a housing sub division has taken its place. Most of the
other animals has been re-located, but is difficult to place 2 fully grown Black Bears
because most of the other facilities, who could offer them a home, already have bears.
Time was running out. The only other option was to destroy Ben and Bernice. In 1996 when Papanack Park Zoo heard of their plight, they really wanted to help, but it would take approximately $10,000 to build a suitable facility complete with a pool for them to cool off in during the summer and dens for them to hibernate and raise their young in. We just didn't not have the money in their budged for a bear facility. After much head scratching and soul-searching it was suggested that we turn to the public for their help. So that what we did. Time did not allow for the money to be raised and the facility to be build before the 'dead' line. So we covered the cost of transporting the bears and in September 96 gave them a temporary home by moving the cougars into an indoor facility for the summer, until their new home is built. Few months of being cramped and thanks to you, they can spend rest of their lives living in style. All the generous people that donated to the new bear facility have made it possible for us to finished their new home. On June 22nd 97 we had Grand Opening Ceremony of new Bear Facility. |
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Ben, Bernice and Papanack Park Zoo thank you for your donation and hope you will visit them in their new permanent home - and when you do, be sure to tell everyone how you helped to save two American Black Bears named Ben and Bernice! The happy end to Ben and Bernice wasn't meant to be. It seems that rescue for Bernice came too late. Because she was malnourish for long period of time she didn't survive hibernation. Because Ben seems to be lonely, next Summer we acquired another black bear. They are doing fine |
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| Family | Ursidae | ||
| Class: | Ursus americanus | ||
| Height: | 3-4 ft. Standing: 4-7 ft. | ||
| Length: | 4-6 ft. | ||
| Weight: | (Average) male 425 lbs. female 200 lbs. | ||
| Breeding maturity: | About three years old. | ||
| Mating: | Mating occurs in late June and early July. | ||
| Number of young: | 1-5 cubs a year. | ||
| Lifestyle habit: | Solitary, but come together for breeding. | ||
| Diet: | Omnivorous (insect larvae, fruits, nuts, tubers, leaves, fish, birds, small mammals) | ||
| Lifespan: | Can live up to 25 years | ||
| For booking an event or further information please contact Diane or Keith |
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| phone | 1 - (613) 673 - 7275 | ||
| fax: | 1 - (613) 673 - 5870 | ||
| e-mail: | info@papanack.com | ||
