Hangin’ With The Wrong Crowd

Monty enjoying his new home at the Knoxville Zoo – Staff Photo by Robin Archer

Knoxville Zoo’s newest bear, Monty, had a very strange start to life. He was discovered wearing a collar and running with a group of dogs. Because he was domesticated as a cub, it made introducing him to new environments easier but it also insured a life spent in captivity. The zoo is glad that he already has this trust with humans which make life easier for both Monty and his new keepers at the Zoo. Though it is not always the case when new animals are introduced, Monty has comfortably settled into his new surroundings.

Knoxville Zoo has four bears in residence. Alvin, Otis are both fourteen, Ursula is twelve years old and all of their bears have been taken directly from the wild by humans or were orphaned, thus not allowing them to live a lifestyle of freedom in the mountains. The Zoo does not have Monty’s exact birth date, but because cubs are generally born in January/February, he should be turning one shortly.

The Black Bears of the Smokey Mountains do not actually hibernate, they just slow down greatly. They eat a lot, gaining fat to keep them warm and sleep most of their days, although Monty is the exception. Being young still, he is quite active and spends his time playing though the days and napping off and on. The older bears sleep most of their days away, waking only to eat and possibly take a small stroll.

The introduction with Monty and Otis, the largest and most relaxed of the bears, went well. They first met within their dens, and then they were put into the exhibit together. When the bears begin coming out of their winter slumber they will begin the introductions again with Alvin and Ursula.

Monty is in training so that it is easier for the Zoo Staff and Veterinarians to be able to care for him, doing things such as standing up, opening his mouth, lying down and rolling over. So far Monty has learned how to come to the target (a target sign that he taps with his nose and gets a treat), step onto the scale and how to sit.

The main staple of his diet is Dog Kibble, along with apples, oranges, raisins, and craisins. Like many one year olds, he should be eating his greens but seems to personally dislike them! “He is more likely to play with them then eat them” says his keeper Susan. He prefers his fruit and veggies over treats such as peanut butter, honey or cereal. His favorite toy is his stick, which he loves to play with.