Kurt Pankopf Photography: WNCNC

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

WNCNC - Black Bears

On my days visiting the Western North Carolina Nature Center, my first visit after passing through the barn yard entrance is the Bear pen. There are two American Black Bears in residence, Uno and Ursa. Both bears are in their upper teens.
I'm not a bear expert. All observations are that of an ignorant observer.
All that out of the way, I probably spent more time watching these two. Not sure why exactly, maybe waiting for some bear stereo-typical action. No jumping up and down, no standing on their hind legs. Quite business-like and bear professional. Although for sure, there was a lot of napping involved.
I don't have enough experience to know if the bear pen is large enough for two, but looks large enough to me. I was lucky enough to see the bear feeding procedure. I should say, I did see the procedure, the actual feeding takes place in an enclosed shelter that separates the occupants and probably keeps the keepers at a safe distance. A learning experience for me. The bears however had the process down pat. As soon as the keeper, with pail in hand, started toward the feeding enclosure, they were on the move.
These are some shots of the Bears going through their morning.