Knowsley Safari has announced its exciting new Bear Experiences, coinciding with the much-anticipated release of the Paddington in Peru film. Visitors can go behind the scenes with Andean Bears, the species that inspired Paddington Bear.
Male Chui and female Bahia arrived at “Bear Country” on Knowsley’s Foot Safari earlier this year as part of a worldwide breeding programme. During an experience, guests can prepare some of their favourite foods, including chopped vegetables, porridge balls, or bamboo sticks filled with honey and peanut butter, as well as coconuts, no marmalade sandwiches here!
During the unique 60-minute encounter, guests also have the opportunity to create and provide enrichment for the bears, which encourages exercise and optimizes stimulation needs, as well as ask the safari’s animal experts all there is to know.
Also known as the Spectacled Bear, due to their facial markings, Andean Bears are unfortunately at risk of extinction and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with potentially as few as 2,500 mature individuals remaining their native habitat, including Paddington’s home, Peru. Knowsley Safari is working in partnership with Peru-based Spectacled Bear Conservation Society, which helps protect the species from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, including poaching.
Nicola Watson, Learning & Development and Research & Conservation Operations Manager at Knowsley Safari, says:
“Our brand-new Bear Experiences give visitors exclusive access to keeper areas which are usually out of bounds to the public. It’s an exciting and interactive opportunity to learn more about Bahia and Chui and the wider species. Of course, guests will also be rolling their sleeves up to get involved in feeding and enrichment.
“The new Bear Experiences are an enjoyable way to help spread awareness of the plight of Andean Bears. So, once you’ve seen Paddington in Peru, come and see the real bears who inspired the character!”
Bear Experiences take place March to September and can be booked now on the Knowsley Safari website. Experiences are for age eight and over and can accommodate up to four people. Prices start from £149, for one person and go up to £259 for a family of four.
For further information about Knowsley Safari’s Andean Bears you can visit the website or you can book a Bear Experience here.
READ MORE: PADDINGTON BEAR STATUE UNVEILED IN LIVERPOOL TO CELEBRATE NEW MOVIE
