PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia Zoo is preparing to welcome guests into an expansive new world for endangered bears this summer as the long-awaited Francis J. Carey Bear Country officially opens on Thursday, June 4.
The $25 million project, described by Zoo officials as one of the country’s premier bear habitats, will give visitors the chance to get closer than ever to Andean bears and sloth bears through immersive viewing spaces, educational exhibits, and a brand-new Zoo360 trail designed specifically for the animals.
Zoo members will receive an exclusive first look before the public opening, with preview access scheduled for June 2 and 3, along with special early-morning preview hours June 5 through 7.
The reimagined habitat dramatically expands the Zoo’s bear facilities, adding a third outdoor habitat and increasing available space for the animals by roughly 60 percent. The exhibit also includes heated pools, towering climbing structures, digging areas for food foraging, and indoor and outdoor den spaces designed to support breeding and cub rearing.
Guests visiting Carey Bear Country will find cave-style glass viewing areas that allow for nose-to-nose encounters with the bears, along with interactive educational displays explaining the conservation challenges facing both species in the wild.
“As an Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredited zoo, Philadelphia Zoo puts animal care and well-being at the forefront of every decision,” Zoo officials said in announcing the opening.
During the first several weeks after opening, Zoo staff noted that the bears may spend time acclimating to their new environments and may not always be visible outdoors as they gradually explore the exhibit and Zoo360 trail system.
Meet the Bears of Carey Bear Country
Carey Bear Country will house two endangered bear species with very different habitats and behaviors.
Andean bears, also known as spectacled bears, are native to South America’s Andes Mountains and are recognized by the light markings around their eyes and faces. Skilled climbers, they spend much of their time in trees building nests where they eat and rest. Habitat loss, poaching, and human conflict continue to threaten the species.
Sloth bears, native to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, are known for their shaggy coats and specialized snouts that help them suck termites and ants from underground nests. The species also faces growing threats from habitat destruction and poaching.
The Zoo says additional information about the individual bears who will call Carey Bear Country home will be announced soon.
Event Details
- What: Opening of Francis J. Carey Bear Country
- When: Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 11:30 AM
- Where: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Cost/Tickets: Included with Philadelphia Zoo admission and membership
- More Info: philadelphiazoo.org
Zoo member preview hours include:
- Tuesday, June 2, and Wednesday, June 3: 9:30 AM–12:00 PM
- Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7: 8:30 AM–9:30 AM
Beginning Friday, June 5, Carey Bear Country will be open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
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