Asheboro, NC - It's all about bears at the North Carolina Zoo Saturday, June 15, when the park celebrates "Bear Necessities"-when guests can explore the life of bears.

Saturday's event will feature grizzly, polar and black bears and will be highlighted with keeper talks, information stations and educational displays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the bear exhibits.

A Teddy Bear clinic will be held outside the North America entrance, where young visitors can bring their teddy bears or other stuffed friends for a check-up with zoo veterinary staff. Those participating in the clinic will also be entered into a drawing to win a new teddy bear from the zoo's Earth explorer gift shop.

All bear activities are free with paid admission.

The ongoing Dinosaurs! exhibit continues at the park through October. Fifteen animatronic creatures, representing more than a dozen dinosaur species, inhabit a forest exhibit created just for this zoo attraction. There is a $4 admission fee for this exhibit.

Visitors can get more information on all weekend activities at the zoo Web site: http://www.nczoo.org/.

Coca-Cola is the signature sponsor for all zoo special events this year.

The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, John E. Skvarla,III, secretary; Pat McCrory, governor.

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