Area of zoo
Europe
Enclosure status
I'm hibernating right now
IUCN status
Least Concern
Latin name
Ursus arctos
Order
Carnivora
Type
Mammals
Family
Ursidae
Region
North America, Europe and Asia
Habitat
Mountain woodland

Our European brown bear, Cinderella, has now moved to a hibernation den in the Zoo while we carry out important work to her home before new bears join her in spring 2023. Bear-enthusiasts, watch this space!

Brown bear facts

A European brown bear in her woodland home at Whipsnade Zoo

What do European brown bears look like? 

European brown bears are one of the largest species of bear. As the name indicates, they are covered in brown fur, with the colours varying from a yellow brown to a dark brown. The bears are equipped with large paws, and claws that can grow up to 10cm long! 

What do European brown bears eat?

A European brown bear’s diet is made up of a mixture of grasses, berries, sedges, fungi, mosses, nuts, fruit, honey, insects, birds and fish.

What threats do European brown bears face in the wild? 

While European brown bears are recognised as Least Concern on the IUCN red list, the threats they face include hunting and habitat loss. 

A European brown bear playing with a tube at Whipsnade Zoo

Visit Whipsnade Zoo

  • A European brown bear in her woodland home at Whipsnade Zoo

    Whipsnade Zoo Map

    Our European brown bears can be found in our Europe area of the Zoo

  • Puff the wolverine at Whipsnade Zoo

    Wolverine

    Wolverines have thick and oily fur that is resistant to frost

  • A Eurasian lynx at Whipsnade Zoo

    Eurasian lynx

    The Eurasian lynx is the largest species of lynx

  • Book now to visit our animals at Whipsnade Zoo
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