Rita
Rita
" The Bold Scholar "
Rita is one of three grizzly bears that call Glacier Run home . She came to the Louisville Zoo in 2010 with her mother Inga and twin brother Otis from Flat Head Lake , Montana . The trio were considered nuisance bears in Montana where they were raiding chicken coups and had been trapped three times . Montana has a three strike law and this grizzly family had met their quota and faced an uncertain future unless a home for them could be found in a zoo or other wildlife facility . The Louisville Zoo gave the bears a home in Glacier Run where they have been wonderful ambassadors for their species .
Rita and the other bears in Glacier Run recently completed a cognitive study for a researcher from Transylvania University . The goal of this study was to measure the problem-solving abilities of bears . Rita ’ s task was to open five doors on a big metal puzzle box . Not only was Rita one of the only bears across the United States to complete it by opening all five doors , she did it repeatedly and in record time . She was well rewarded for her efforts with meat , fish , marshmallows and jelly treats .
When you visit Glacier Run , you are likely to see Rita swimming and playing with her brother Otis . When they are on exhibit together , they often wrestle and chase each other around the pool and overhead on the walkway . Grizzly bears are not endangered or part of a Species Survival Plan , so Otis has been neutered to avoid siring any future cubs per the Louisville Zoo ' s agreement with U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service . This also allows Rita and Otis are able to remain on exhibit together . Rita is a big swimmer and tries to get Otis to join her in the pool and play , but he would rather stay where his feet can touch the ground .
The keepers at Glacier Run also do training sessions with the bears each day to check their health , mobility and appetite . As winter approaches , the grizzly bears slow down but do not need to hibernate under the Zoo ' s care . Their metabolism and activity levels do decrease which coincides with the decreasing availability of food sources in their natural habitat during the winter season . You can see Rita on rotation in Glacier Run along with brother Otis , mother Inga and Qannik the polar bear .
No matter the temperature , the Louisville Zoo ensures all the animals have a safe and comfortable place to call home . Whether we make changes to an exhibit to accommodate animals for cold , move the animals indoors or let them engage in frosty weather fun , your keepers work hard to keep their animals healthy and engaged .
You may think that winter isn ’ t a good time for a Zoo visit , but it ’ s a fantastic time to grab a hot cocoa and take a winter walk . There are lots of places to warm up plus the animals enjoy seeing people and may even be more active during cooler days . Take advantage of winter visiting hours and bring a friend — we have reduced admission rates through February 28 , 2017 . The walking will also get you some exercise and fresh winter air !
6 • Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Winter 2016