Meeting 'Gom' After Over 7 Months: Gwangju Uchi Zoo Filled with Children's Laughter

[Visiting the Renovated Bear Enclosure Based on Animal Welfare and Behavioral Enrichment]

Significant Improvement in Rearing Environment with Soil, Flowers, and Trees Instead of Cement

Very Popular Among Children Indoors Right in Front

"Dad, bear, bear. Let's go see the bear."

On the afternoon of the 22nd, the second day after the reopening following the environmental improvement construction of the bear enclosure, children visiting Uchi Zoo in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City were excited with anticipation to see the bears for the first time in about seven months.

Although many bears were taking naps due to their natural habits, the children repeatedly expressed amazement, perhaps because it had been a long time since they last saw bears.

Citizens visiting the bear enclosure at Gwangju Uchi Zoo, which was renovated into an animal welfare-friendly facility and reopened to the public after about seven months, are watching the bears enter the water.

One bear lying down and licking its tongue was a unique sight for the children, and each of them raised their phones to take pictures of the scene.

Watching a bear enter the water, they worried with their companions, saying, "I wonder if it's cold."

It wasn't only the children who were excited. Adults, including parents holding their children's hands tightly, grandparents, and couples linking arms, also couldn't take their eyes off the bears they were seeing after a long time.

Especially in the indoor area designed to allow visitors to see bears and tigers up close, both children and adults pressed against the windows, seemingly trying to catch every expression of the bears, staying there for quite some time.

This place, unlike the outdoor area where visitors have to watch from a distance outside the iron bars, was truly popular. There is a dedicated swimming pool for the bears right in front, making it possible to see some impressive scenes at times.

One child laughed and urged, "Mom, Dad, take the picture quickly. Make sure the bear is in it," while bringing their finger to their cheek.

Since the environmental improvement construction of the bear enclosure at Uchi Park began at the end of March, visitors had not been able to see the bears for a while. The project took about seven months, covering a land area of 2,000㎡ and a total floor area of 146.8㎡.

Although the construction was completed earlier, the enclosure reopened on the 21st after about two weeks of adaptation period to ensure the stable adjustment of the bears and tigers.

Supported by the Ministry of Environment's biological resource conservation facility installation project, the previously separated breeding spaces were combined and expanded, the cement floor was replaced with soil, and flowers and trees were planted to provide an enriched behavioral environment.

Divided into three zones, this area houses seven animals including the Asiatic black bear, a natural monument, and the endangered Bengal tiger. Among the Asiatic black bears are two rescued from bear farms in Yeoju and Suncheon.

Since 2018, Uchi Zoo has been renovating animal enclosures with support from the Ministry of Environment, considering animal welfare. They have completed renovations of the reptile house, small carnivore house, mouflon house, and large water bird enclosure.

Currently, using Gwangju City's own budget, construction is underway on the deer enclosure, which is scheduled to reopen in January next year.

Ji Taekyung, head of Uchi Park Management Office, said, "We will prioritize animal welfare and utilize the newly renovated bear enclosure as an educational space that can contribute to the conservation of endangered animals," adding, "We will also provide visitors with ecological knowledge and promote respect for life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.