New arrivals at the Park is our group of Syrian Bears. The smallest of the Brown Bear family and now extinct in Syria, only remnant populations are to be found in neighbouring countries. Our 3 young animals are two brothers and their sister, born in Zoo-de-Servion in Switzerland. They are the only Syrian Bears in the UK, and are part of an attempt to preserve the species which has practically disappeared from Europe's zoos. The plan is for the three youngsters to grow up at Hamerton before eventually being paired up with new animals to be imported from rescue centres in Armenia. Our new Bear Meadow consists of 4 separate dens connected to two outdoor enclosures, one stony and one grassed, covering an area of 6000 sq metres - around one and a half acres. It was in use by May 2020, and was open officially once visitors were allowed to come back to the Park by the Government, following the closure of all zoos during the pandemic.
