Clover the kermode bear is getting a companion

Apr 29, 2018 | 6:34 AM

KAMLOOPS — One of the BC Wildlife Park’s biggest stars is getting a companion. 

Clover the kermode bear came to the park as an orphaned cub in 2012. 

BC Wildlife Park General Manager Glenn Grant says the rare ‘spirit bear’ won’t be alone for much longer. 

“We’re going to introduce one of our black bears over to Clover,” Grant said. “Clover’s been in his habitat now for three years. It’s a large three-acre habitat. We all know that Clover would probably like a little bit of company over there. So, we have one small black bear habitat that has three bears in it, so we’re going to take one of the females from there and move her over to Clover in a couple of weeks.” 

Grant says the bears will be introduced to each other slowly to ensure they get along. 

“There’s a special lock-up area within the habitat that the bear we’re going to introduce will have access to first. It has a swimming pool, and irrigation, and some green space. Once the bears are very comfortable nose to nose through a fence, then we’ll open the fence up and introduce them.” 

The BC Wildlife Park recently introduced their male cougar to Zoe, a female cougar. 

The introduction process took approximately six weeks.