May 29, 2026 - Things to Do

Bears get new home at Philadelphia Zoo

Mike D'Onofrio

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Two black bear cubs playing on a large tree stump in a fenced wooden enclosure, with bright green foliage in the background. — Sloth bear cubs Kelce and Harper are getting a new home. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Zoo

Bear Country is back at the Philadelphia Zoo.

What's new: The $25-million, year-long project opens to the public next week. New features include:

A third habitat with upgrades to others
Expanded den spaces
Cave-like glass viewing areas for guests to see the bears
Zoo360 trail that allows the bears to move among habitats

Worth noting: The zoo's sloth and Andean bears were relocated to other facilities during construction.

If you go: The new exhibit opens to the general public on June 4 at 11:30am.

Yes, but: Zoo members can get exclusive previews on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as mornings before the zoo opens on June 5-7.

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