March 26, 2008

Six Flags Wild Safari Welcomes Five Newborn Endangered European Brown Bear Cubs

Six Flags Wild Safari Also Expands Its Academic Adventures With
In-Class Educational Offerings

Six Flags Wild Safari, the largest drive-thru safari outside of Africa, introduces five rare European brown bear cubs.  Originally found in Britian, the bears no longer exist in the wild throughout England and Ireland; and can only be found in small populations throughout parts of Europe.  The Six Flags Wild Safari staff is proud to welcome the endangered newborns to the park's previous population of 22 endangered bears.

The cubs were born in the Bear Country of the safari to two mothers.  The cubs and their moms were relocated into a separated nursery in the European brown bear section where they will stay for approximately two years while the mother bears teach them to care for themselves.  Safari visitors can see the cubs playing in their water hole, mud wrestling, lounging in the branches of the trees, and nuzzling with their mothers who are never far behind beginning this spring.

"Provided that the mothers and babies are doing well, we try to maintain a hands-off operation and allow nature to take its course," said Dr. William Rives, a Six Flags Wild Safari exotic animal expert for 16 years.  "We observe all the births and conduct baby-wellness checks and we're pleased everyone is doing well."

The Six Flags Wild Safari is dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind safari experience where guests can get up close to rare and exotic animals from around the globe allowing them to understand why it is important for humans and wildlife to have sustainable environmental interactions. 

"These births are very significant for the Wild Safari and the critically endangered animal populations," said Dr. Rives.  "We are very excited to have these healthy newborns join our safari."

Park guests can see the five newborn endangered European brown bear additions and more than 1,200 other Wild Safari residents beginning April 5.  The Wild Safari is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. any theme park operating day except Fridays during Fright Fest.  Stay tuned - Six Flags Wild Safari will announce more exciting newborn animal additions soon.

Six Flags Wild Safari Adds a 'Wild Encounters' Program to the Educational Line-up

This season Six Flags Wild Safari will motivate students to protect and conserve the environment through in-class, interactive education and entertainment with Wild Encounters, a new educational outreach program.  This academic adventure will integrate NJ core educational standards for science, health and physical education with the study of animals in a hands-on, fun and memorable learning experience.

Students will be challenged in their current views on conservation and the environment with three Wild Encounters in-class programs: Fur, Feathers & Scales, Indiana Bones: Classroom Safari and ABCs of Animal Training.  Programs include presentations and exhibits relating to habitat, diet, adaptations, bones & artifacts, behaviors, reproduction, body structure and more.  All programs will be specially tailored towards teachers' current lesson plans and are suitable for grades K through 12.

This ultimate educational experience features exotic animal residents from the Wild Safari Exploration Station such as Cleo the capuchin monkey, Kumai the cuddly kinkajou, Shelly the giant Flemish rabbit, Sydney the blue tongued skink, Piggy a 12 foot albino Burmese python and others.  Teachers may opt out of the live animal presentations with Indiana Bones: Classroom Safari which will feature bones and exotic animal artifacts.

For more information on the Six Flags Wild Safari and the Wild Encounters academic adventures guests can call 732/928-2000 ext. 2076.