Chester Zoo welcomes new Andean bear to 'help save his species'

Video report by ITV Granada Reports journalist Zoe Muldoon

Chester Zoo has welcomed a rare Andean bear called Oberon.

The 10-year-old, who is called Obe for short, has been brought to the zoo as he has been discovered to be the perfect genetic match for their three-year-old female bear, Pacha.

He is the same species as the iconic fictional character Paddington Bear and face a high chance of extinction in the future.

Head of mammals, Mark Brayshaw, said: "Oberon came to us a couple of months ago from another zoo, part of a conservation breeding programme so he has now been mixed with our young female Pacha.

"It all went very well. Once we introduced them, there was lots of mating...certainly love at first sight.

"I'd say the honeymoon period is probably over now, she's a little less tolerant of him, but what we're hoping is we will have the pitter patter of tiny bear feet at some point in the future.

"If Pacha gets pregnant, we can expect a very short gestation period of about 60 days and these bears have something called delayed implantation, which means the fertilised egg takes time to implant in the uterus.

"We'd expect a birth around January, February time so what would happen - she'd disappear off, build a nest into a cubbing den and we wouldn't see much of her for a month or so, she gives birth, and the infants are really small.

"A month or so later, the youngsters appear - touch wood!"

There are less than 10,000 Andean bears left in the wild, but scientists are hopeful that by putting Pacha and Obe together the two of them can help increase the population.

They come from South America, and are the only living species of bear in that area.

However, like other species, they are now coming into conflict with humans.

Mr Brayshaw continued: "There's some crop growing and cattle ranching that goes on in those sort of ranges which is encroaching into the bears range.

"They'll forage in the wild, but if they come across a corn field they'll eat it. Likewise, male bears can take cattle which ultimately brings them into conflict with local communities."

Chester Zoo is helping to mitigate that with community education programmes, advising on alternative livelihoods, such as making honey and working with our local partners to mitigate some of those threats.

Mike Jordan, Director of Animals and Plants at the zoo, said: "Oberon has settled in nicely since arriving here in Chester, spending his time exploring, climbing trees and checking out the sights and scents of his new home."

Made world-famous by Paddington, Andean bears are listed as vulnerable to extinction with deforestation and climate change destroying their homes in South America.

They are the only species of bear on the continent.

"Paddington Bear came from deepest, darkest, Peru. this is the only living south american specieis, so yes there's that comparison.

"Personally, I'd like people to see them for what thy are. Andean bears, a beautiful species. Paddington Bear is a good draw, we'll take that too," said Mr Brayshaw.

Mike said: "Oberon hasn’t yet fathered any cubs, so his genetics could play an important role in the future of his species."

Andean Bears are also known as ‘spectacled’ bears due to the circular golden markings that can occur around their eyes.

The fascinating animals are uniquely adapted to challenging mountainous habitats and possess a thick, shaggy coat and powerful jaws used for eating hardened vegetive matter in the harsh climates of the Andes.