Photos: Reid Park Zoo welcomes back Andean Bear Joaquin
Visitors and Reid Park Zoo staff watched while 18-year-old Andean Bear Joaquin ate snacks and walked around his new habitat at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct., in Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 19th, 2021.
Joaquin was born at Reid Park Zoo in 2002, according to Josh Skattum, zoo keeper. His father Worf, who passed away last year, and his mother Lucy were long time time residents at Reid Park Zoo, added Skattum.
Joaquin, who was at the Philadelphia Zoo, was returned to Reid Park Zoo for breading with the zoo's other Andean bear Oja as part of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan, said Skattum.
Joaquin, who is about 400 pounds, will be turning 19 this November.
Andean Bear Joaquin
Judah Barr, 4, watches while Joaquin, Reid Park Zoo's new Andean Bear, walks past the glass at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct., in Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 19th, 2021.
Andean Bear Joaquin
Reid Park Zoo's new Andean Bear Joaquin stands in a pocket of sunlight while walking around his new habitat at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct., in Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 19th, 2021.
Andean Bear Joaquin
Erin Messing, center, and her son Jaden Messing watch while Joaquin, Reid Park's new Andean Bear, plays with a ball at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct., in Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 19th, 2021.
Andean Bear Joaquin
Visitors watch as Reid Park Zoo's new Andean Bear Joaquin, searches for food at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct., in Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 19th, 2021.
Andean Bear Joaquin
Reid Park Zoo's new Andean Bear Joaquin searches for food at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct., in Tucson, Ariz. on Oct. 19th, 2021.
Andean Bear Joaquin
Reid Park Zoo's Andean Bear Joaquin stares at the camera while walking around his new habitat at Reid Park Zoo, 3400 E. Zoo Ct., on Oct. 19, 2021.
Rebecca Sasnett
Photojournalist
Joaquin, an 18-year-old Andean bear, is back at Reid Park Zoo after being born there in 2002.