Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomes First Brown Bears in Decades

The Lincoln Park Zoo has announced the arrival of two “bear-y” cute new residents—brown bear sisters Ash and Lexi. The cuddly creatures come from the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin, and are the first of their kind to arrive at the LP Zoo since 1979. The LP Zoo acquired the bears through an exchange program with the Wisconsin zoo, trading off male polar bear Siku for a breeding recommendation. Here’s the inside scoop on Chicago’s newest furry friends. All about Ash and Lexi ---------------------- Ash and Lexi are currently adjusting to their new home and preparing to enter Topor, a winter dormant state similar to hibernation. During topor, the bear’s core functions like blood flow and metabolism slow to conserve energy. In preparation for this hibernation-like period, the bears will consume as much as 90 pounds of food each day and dig cozy dens to nest in. According to the LP Zoo, Ash and Lexi have distinct personalities. Ash, the larger of the two bears, is know for her shy disposition and food-driven mindset. Lexi on the other hand is more outgoing, and known for her enthusiastic response to enrichment activities. Both bears are especially playful. Visit the bears today --------------------- Guests can come see the critters before they turn in for the winter at the LP Zoo’s Arctic Tundra facility. The LP Zoo is free to the public and open daily. For hours and additional information, click here. Source: https://secretchicago.com/lincoln-park-zoo-brown-bears-2025/