New at the Zoo: Space Farms welcomes Syrian Grizzly Bear Sisters

When Fred and Parker Space pull out of Space Farms Zoo and Museum with a pick up truck and a trailer, you just know something new is coming home to the zoo!

Two female Syrian Grizzly bears were the honored guests on the ride back to the zoo. After two weeks of acclamation to their new environment, the pudgy,auburn brown bruins will be ready to greet the visitors on opening day, Saturday, April 19th. The bears are sisters, weighing approximately 250 pounds, each. Jeanette Rix, daughter of founder Al Rix, raised the siblings by hand on a bottle at the Al Rix Bear Center in Orange County, N.Y..

"They are wonderful bears. They are used to the public and were part of an educational exotic animal display for two years," said Ms. Rix. "We are sharing the sisters with Space Farms for visitors to enjoy. I know Pricilla and Angelina will enjoy the grassy acre enclosure at the Space Farms Zoo."

How do you move Grizzly bears? Carefully, very carefully. Parker and Fred Space arrived at the Al Rix Bear Center and watched Jeanette lure the bears into a specially constructed steel transport cage with marsh mellows. The transport cage was then rolled onto the Space's trailer. The Spaces brought the bears to their new home at Space Farms Zoo.

After arriving at the zoo, Parker and Fred Space, owners of Space Farms, drove the white pick up truck and trailer directly to the Syrian Bear enclosure inside the zoo. Parker dashed across the zoo complex to retrieve the skid loader. Parker carefully maneuvered the skid loader into place at the end of the trailer. Doug Day, Tom Williamson and Mr.Space rolled the transport cage, with the two bears inside, to the back of the trailer. Diligently, using his many years of experience, Parker delicately guided the heavy transport cage to the ground with the skid loader, preventing it from rolling down the slight slope at the zoo or jarring the sisters. Once on the ground, the transport cage was rolled into position within the swinging gate of the Syrian Bear enclosure. The electric fence was unplugged and unhooked. The bruins' transport cage was unlocked. Pricilla looked warily out the door. She hesitated only a moment, sniffing the air, then bounded down onto the grass. Angelina quickly followed.

The bears romped in the spring grass, running, digging, and rolling in the damp earth. The male Syrian Grizzly bear, 23 years old, looked on from a distance, letting the youngsters, only 8 years old, play themselves out. After a half hour the blonde male sauntered down to the gals, stomped both feet, and huffed. Angelina and Pricilla stomped their feet, huffed and growled to each other, acknowledging the senior bear's authority. And continued to play.

Meanwhile, the men hooked up the electric fence, wheeled the heavy transport cage out of the way and locked the enclosure gate. Fresh food was brought for the newcomers. Afterward everyone took a moment to witness the joy of the sister bears romping through the enclosed hilly acre of grass and trees.

Syrian Grizzly bears originate in the Middle East and range in weight from 200 to 600 lbs, males being significantly larger than the females. Omnivores, the bears at the Rix Bear Center are fed meat, vegetables, bread and occasionally fish. The nine bears of four species at Space Farms are fed a diet of venison, bread and veggies. Paws the size of dinner plates help scoop food into their mouths. They love to dig with their three inch claws . Syrian Grizzlies vary in color from sandy blonde to dark chocolate brown, often with streaks of cream across their shoulders and chests. The new sister bears are auburn
brown with cream streaks. The older male grizzly bear at Space Farms is the other end of the bruin color spectrum, a sandy blonde. Syrian Grizzlies have the grizzly hump on their backs, which holds extra fat storage for winter.

"One of the older Syrian Bears passed away this winter, at 23, that is equal to 92 in man years. We all get old", sighed Fred Space. "The sisters will help keep the old grizzly company and liven up the exhibit.The bears have been enjoying the space, running, playing and tasting the spring grass."

Space Farms will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from April 19th until October 31st and is located at 218 Route 519 in Beemerville.Admission is $12.95 per adult, $11.95 per senior and $8.50 per child. Group rates and season passes are available. For more information please call Space Farms at 973-875-5800 or check the web site: spacefarms.com.