ASHEBORO, NC — Come out of hibernation this Saturday, April 2, at the North Carolina Zoo to celebrate “Bear Necessities,” from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., in the zoo’s North America region.

Kids are invited to bring their favorite stuffed bear to a teddy bear clinic where veterinarians will do a wellness check and re-stitch bears in need of special repairs. At 11 a.m., outside of the black bear exhibit there will be a camp site destruction, which will be visual and will allow zoo visitors to learn safety tips that will help them if a bear approaches their campsite.

Throughout the day zoo guests can meet zoo keepers to discuss and learn about  bears. Among the Zoo’s nearly 2000 animals the polar bears, black bear and grizzlies are among the most popular animals and activities are planned at all three bear exhibits. Musicians will be at the zoo performing live music and dance in North America Plaza and Junction Plaza as well. 

About the North Carolina Zoo 

The North Carolina Zoo provides an experience like no other zoo anywhere. With five miles of exhibits, nearly 2,000 animals and 52,000 plants it is the largest natural habitat zoo in the world and an international leader in wildlife conservation. 

Find yourself surrounded by some of Africa’s giants including elephants, rhinos, and giraffes; share the love of gorillas with Mosuba and his six-member troop; welcome polar bear Nikita as he joins Anana in polar plunges every day at their Rocky Coast Exhibit; or join in the fun at the mud café in the Kidzone. 

Located in center of the state in Asheboro, it is convenient to visit from anywhere in North Carolina. The North Carolina Zoo welcomes nearly 750,000 guests each year. Plan your adventure at www.nczoo.org

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources 

The North Carolina Zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR) is the state agency with a vision to be the leader in using the state’s natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational and economic future of North Carolina. Led by Secretary Susan Kluttz, NCDNCR's mission is to improve the quality of life in our state by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature in North Carolina by stimulating learning, inspiring creativity, preserving the state’s history, conserving the state’s natural heritage, encouraging recreation and cultural tourism, and promoting economic development.

 NCDNCR includes 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, two science museums, three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier, 39 state parks and recreation areas, the N.C.  Zoo, the nation's first state-supported Symphony Orchestra, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, State Preservation Office and the Office of State Archaeology, along with the Division of Land and Water Stewardship. For more information, please call (919) 807-7300 or visit www.ncdcr.gov.

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