Salisbury Zoo Andean bear to move temporarily to Nashville Zoo

SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury Zoo’s male Andean bear, Pinocchio, will soon leave Salisbury to go on a breeding loan to the Nashville Zoo.

We’re told Pinocchio was recommended for the breeding loan by the Species Survival Plan, which manages the Andean bear population in the United States. Pinocchio, who is 10 years old, is owned by the Salisbury Zoo and will return to Salisbury at a later date.

“We will miss Pinocchio, but we know that this breeding loan is important for the Andean bear population,” said Salisbury Zoo Director Leonora Dillon. “It will also be nice for us and the Zoo guests to have a little more time with one of the cubs.”

Pinocchio came to the Salisbury Zoo in November 2017. He was born in the wild in Ecuador, but his mother reportedly abandoned him. Steps were taken to see if he could be released back into the wild, but it was determined that he would not fare well in that situation, and he was brought to Salisbury so he could mate with Chaska, the zoo’s female Andean bear. He has fathered three cubs, Inti, Raymi, and Sinchi.

Pinocchio is expected to leave Salisbury before the end of June.