Zoo renovating brown bear exhibit

The Great Plains Zoo announced Friday a $2 million renovation to “Bear Canyon,” one of its oldest exhibits.

“We’re tremendously excited to add an upgraded brown bear exhibit to the string of recent improvements over the last several years,” said Elizabeth Whealy, zoo president and CEO.

The project will include a bear meadow and a demonstration area where visitors can look in on zookeeper training sessions. A new water filtration system will reduce staff labor and decrease utility expenses.

Funding for the renovations comes from a combination of private investments as well as federal, state and city funds.

The project will also provide more enrichment opportunities for bears and will allow more space to help the zoo meet standards and exhibit more bears.

The exhibit was last updated in the mid-’80s. Renovations will begin next summer and completed in 2017.

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