Clover to wait till spring for new enclosure at wildlife park

NEWS/ WILDLIFE — Clover will have brand new digs when he wakes up next spring. The Kermode bear has been waiting for two years for a purpose-built enclosure and shelter at the B.C. Wildlife Park, and it’s 95 per cent finished.

Since the bear has denned up for the winter, the zoo has decided to wait until he emerges from hibernation before introducing him to the new 2.8-acre facility in a space formerly used for elk.

The enclosure and shelter are the first phase of the new exhibit, which will feature a denning and housing building, natural vegetation, 10-ft. chain-link fence, two large ponds, a rock bed creek between the ponds,  and fencing for public pathways. Cost: $405,000.

A $345,000 second phase, to be built next year, will include an interpretive centre, raised viewing platform and 100-ft. elevated walkway.

The City put up $250,000 in 2014 and will add $150,000 in 2015. Fundraising efforts will make up the difference.

It promises to be a popular addition to the zoo. Requests are already coming in from bus-tour operators to put Clover on their itinerary.

The bear is described as “in very good health.”