Denver Zoo, in partnership with Children’s Colorado, unveiled its new mascot Sunday at the Zoo’s first Teddy Bear Care Fair.
Elbert, a 6-foot-tall 300-pound bear, debuted by pulling a wagon full of plush versions of himself at the Zoo’s Explore the Shore Play Area, presented by Children’s Colorado. After his introduction, families were invited to take stuffed animals around the Zoo for “medical procedures.”
“We are so excited to mark another important milestone in our longstanding partnership with the Denver Zoo,” said Jena Hausmann, chief operating officer, Children’s Colorado. “We look forward to the joy Elbert will bring our patients through regular visits each month.”
Elbert, named after the highest mountain in Colorado, doesn’t belong to an official species, but was born in the Rocky Mountains. He’s known for his soft brown fur, bright smile and heart-shaped patch of fur on his chest. With favorite foods of fish, fruits and vegetables and hobbies such as dancing, hiking and skiing, Elbert loves to promote healthy eating, kid safety, caring for animals and an active lifestyle.
This was the first Teddy Bear Care Fair hosted at Denver Zoo. Together with Children’s Colorado, Zoo staff handed out plush mascots to the first 1,000 kids and certificates of health at check-in to all children who visited the Explore the Shore Play Area. Children and families were able to walk around the zoo to different stations all day so volunteers and staff could provide X-rays, bear limb casting and other medical procedures to stuffed animals.
“Denver Zoo is proud to have Children’s Colorado as a sponsor of our Explore the Shore Play Area, and as a partner for several community programs,” said Denver Zoo President and CEO Shannon Block. Our partnership is such a natural fit and our new mascot will enable us to continue to provide for children from the region.”
(Denver Zoo photo)
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