The Philadelphia Zoo is preparing to start a $20 million overhaul of its bear exhibit later this year, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
The renovation is the 150-year-old West Philadelphia institution’s largest project in more than a decade. The exhibit, which has the working name “Bear Country,” is expected to be finalized in spring 2026.
The project underscores the zoo’s commitment to the welfare of its animals and the guest experience, as well as the community, according to Philadelphia Zoo CEO Jo-Elle Mogerman.
The new bear habitat will provide a glimpse at what the property could look like in the future.
“Sometimes zoos are like malls, right?” said Mogerman. “They have these anchor experiences that people gravitate toward and love, and bears is sort of one of those for the Philadelphia Zoo.”
This update will expand the bear habitat by removing most of the moats that currently separate the bears from the guests and will add an additional yard across from the visitor walkway. The new yard will connect to the two existing ones via an overhead tunnel, that will allow the bears to walk above the visitors.
Read more about the bear exhibit project and what visitors can expect from it in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
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