Big Bear Alpine Zoo

Big Bear Alpine Zoo and its collection

Big Bear Alpine Zoo, opened in 1959, is a zoo in Big Bear Lake, United States.

Injured wildlife is rehabilitated for release here, and animals judged unable to return to the wild remain permanently; the collection stands at around 160 animals of 80 species, among them wolves, cougars, eagles, and grizzly and black bears. The country holds only two alpine zoos, of which this is one, and it describes itself as the sole zoological facility set in alpine forest and devoted to alpine species. Ownership and management rest with a San Bernardino County special district, the Big Bear Valley Recreation and Park District, and the grounds face Bear Mountain Ski Resort.

History

It has worked with alpine wildlife since 1959, starting as a rehabilitation site rather than a zoo.

Animals and collection

About 160 animals of 80 species are kept, among them grizzly and black bears, cougars, wolves and eagles.

What the venue says

• daily feeding times
• Light snacks and water are available in the gift shop.
• The zoo features a dedicated parking lot directly on-site, and parking for visitors is completely free of charge. While parking is generally straightforward, spaces can fill up faster during winter snow weekends, holidays, and peak summer vacation periods.
• The Zoo does allow fully trained service animals to enter the Zoo.