“We have been building toward this event for more than two years, planning, fundraising, and testing designs for our water features, all to benefit our very special bears.  To see phase one ready is quite exciting,” said Hollywild’s executive director, David Meeks.

Adult Syrian Brown Bears, named Ramses and Giza, as well as Honey Bear, a Grizzly Bear, will be in the new habitat. 

Habitat features include climbing rocks, tunnels and caves, made and reinforced with materials donated by CEMEX, a global building materials company and Vulcan Materials Company

“Todd Morris and Allen Early with CEMEX and Donald Vaughn from Vulcan have really helped us create many of the features in this habitat by supplying essential elements of the structures that create the tunnels, caves, and waterfall the bears will enjoy,” Meeks explained.

In addition to the physical elements visitors can see, an intricate network of piping and pumps unites several water features in the park.  The water cycling throughout the ponds and waterfalls creates an atmosphere soothing to animals and visitors alike.

In 2011, Meeks and his grounds staff team created the park’s first two waterfalls, testing the underground flow and filtration systems, preparing for a link to the new bear habitat. The best compliment received came from a new park visitor just weeks after the final touches were placed on the waterfall near the big cat exhibits. 

“A lady who’d never been here before commented how fortunate we were to have a waterfall already on the park property. She had no idea it was just created. We want everything here to look and feel that natural,” Meeks added. 

Phase two of the bear habitat will create similar features in another bear exhibit area. The third phase will be the center area which serve as an observation area that invites park visitors to get close to the bears and feel a part of the habitat themselves.  Hollywild has an ongoing habitat renovation fund, Habitats for Hollywild, which supports the long range goal of creating immersion exhibits throughout the Park.  “Immersion exhibits allow the visitors to feel they’re involved in the lives of the animals while letting them watch and learn about incredible species in a very special way,” Meeks explained.

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Hollywild Animal Park is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization with a 41 year history as a place for families and individuals to experience the majesty of the animal kingdom.  Park admission includes access to the walking exhibit areas, a safari bus ride, and creature feature show. 

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Regular Admission Rates: 

$12 adults; $10 Students and Military w/Id; $8 Children, Seniors (over 65), Handicapped; Children under 24 months are admitted free of charge.

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For more information about Hollywild, visit www.hollywild.org or call (864)472-2038.