Oldest Bear in Australia turns 31- Local Cairns News | cairns.com.au
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23 July 2011
Huggie and Pooh the Syrian brown bears at Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve, are ready for their mate Barney's 31st birthday party today
IT'S going to be a beary, beary good weekend for one lucky zoo animal.
Barney the Syrian black bear, who lives at the Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve, is turning the ripe old age of 31 today.
Bears in the wild only usually live to the age of 20, and up to 30 in captivity.
To celebrate Barney's milestone, the zoo is hosting a special birthday for him, alongside its annual Teddy Bears Picnic.
There will be a birthday cake for Barney, as well as party games.
Zookeeper Kelly Lambe said the secret to Barney's longevity was the tender loving care given to him by zoo staff.
He is an omnivore, and has a regular diet of fruit and meat (with plenty of peanuts).
The 300kg bear came to the Koah zoo six years ago, sent from Perth Zoo.
While Barney has a touch of arthritis in his old age, he occasionally takes dips in the compound's swimming pool with two other bears, Pooh, 18, and his twin sister Huggy, 18.
"Barney still has the occasional playful swim in the pool, so you will see that playful side of him," Ms Lambe said.
Barney's 31st birthday and the Teddy Bear's Picnic is on at 10.30am today at Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve.