Chaska
Salisbury Zoo

SALISBURY, MD - The Salisbury Zoo has announced the upcoming departure of their female Andean Bear Chaska.

The Zoo says after 12 years in Salisbury, Chaska will be moved to the Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana in early May.

Chaska first came to the Salisbury Zoo in 2013 and was paired with two different male bears and gave birth to four cubs. Former mate Pinocchio has since been moved to Nashville while her cubs have been relocated across the country.

At 15, Chaska is no longer recommended for breeding, according to the Salisbury Zoo.

With Chaska’s departure, the Salisbury Zoo’s Andean Bear exhibit will be empty, allowing the Zoo to construct a new exhibit.

“Chaska has played an important role in the Salisbury community and has left a lasting impact on Zoo guests and staff,” a Zoo spokesperson said in a statement. “Her departure is bittersweet, but it marks an exciting new chapter as the Zoo looks ahead to continuing its commitment to Andean bear conservation and education.”

A special celebration of in honor of Chaska is currently slated for the Salisbury Zoo on Saturday, April 26.

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Digital Content Producer

Sean joined WBOC as Digital Content Producer in February 2023. Originally from New Jersey, Sean graduated from Rutgers University with bachelor’s degrees in East Asian Studies and Religion. He has lived in New York, California, and Virginia before he and his wife finally found a place to permanently call home in Maryland. With family in Laurel, Ocean Pines, Berlin, and Captain’s Cove, Sean has deep ties to the Eastern Shore and is thrilled to be working at WBOC serving the community.

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