Bring Home Bruno
We're so excited about Bruno coming to ZooMontana, we want to share the excitement! Keeper Krystal Whetham will travel to Knoxville Zoo in April to spend time with Bruno and his keepers. Then, Krystal, Bruno and our two vets will drive across the midwest and bring Bruno home to ZooMontana! Bookmark this page and watch here for special updates from Krystal and watch Bruno get closer to ZooMontana.

Update from Krystal

First Day with Bruno - 4/23/08

Hey everyone here is Bruno, My 1st day meeting him. All is great in Tennessee. All I Can Say Is He Makes Me Laugh!!!!!

Talk with you soon!!!

Krystal






Second Day with Bruno - 4/24/08





Pictures of Bruno painting a masterpiece. One of his enrichments for the day. The pics show him painting and the finished product, He is now a blue headed bear.

Krystal

Third Day with Bruno - 4/25/08





Pond Cleaning day, Time for Bruno to enjoy his own spa!!

Krystal

Fourth Day with Bruno - 4/26/08



This is a good morning Bruno style!! Also enjoying some down time in the pond on a warm Knoxville day.
















Krystal

Fifth Day with Bruno - 4/27/08



A busy morning with one of Bruno's favorite enrichment items. Getting close now to leaving time, this will be the last pictures I will have time to send. I'll be in touch by phone with updates between now and when we get to Billings.
















We will see you soon!!! Krystal

Special update by Dr. Woerner (one of the zoo's vets) - 4/28/2008

All!

It is 7:30 AM ZooMT time. Bobbie is driving. We are in Tennessee. Spoke with Krystal yesterday and will call her again soon this AM. We have 304 miles to go and should be in Knoxville between noon & 1 PM.

Anxious to meet Bruno. We should be able to stay in touch live by e-mail and web cam (if someone besides me is technicially ‘savy’ enough) providing live pictures of us & Bruno on trip home!
Don & Bobbie

On the road with Bruno - 4/29/2008

Krystal just called and said that they're on the road and have been for several hours. Bruno is handling the ride well, but is getting a little bored. They stopped to fill a paper towel roll with peanut butter and other treats for an enrichment object to keep him entertained.

They're taking their time and making sure Bruno is healthy and happy every step of the way. They'll be in Billings late tomorrow.

On the road with Bruno - 4/29/2008

Krystal, Dr. Don, Bobbie, Dr. Eric and Bruno have passed St. Louis now and are still on schedule to arrive in Billings late Wednesday.

Update from Dr. Woerner - 4/30/2008

We are making good time and Bruno has settled down to enjoy his trip. He is a wonderful bear! He seems to look forward to our gas & treat stops!

It’s 3:30 AM and we are 967 miles from home (120 miles south of Omaha). The sun will be coming up in a while.

Dr. Eric and Krystal have done most of the driving so far. Bobbie is driving at the moment. Will update you later on our progress…

The crew

Update from Krystal - 4/30/2008

They are in Sioux Falls, SD right now and making great time. They have 4 drivers so they can keep switching them around and drove all through the night.

Bruno is doing well, every time they stop they make sure to give him a treat, give him water and see that he's entertained. He was laying down in his crate when I talked to her.

The trip is actually going faster than they expected with 4 drivers and they anticipate arriving in Billings about 8:30 this evening.

Update from Krystal - 4/30/2008 - 2pm

They have made it to Rapid City and are in the home stretch. They are figuring about 5 more hours of drive time and they'll be at the zoo. Everyone's hanging in there. They're looking forward to giving Bruno a chance to check out his new home.



Update from Krystal - 4/30/2008 - 7:20pm

They are past Hardin. Everyone's tired of driving and ready to get to the zoo!

Bruno Arrives at ZooMontana! 4/30/2008 - 8:30pm

Bruno was unloaded and settled right in to his new exhibit. He drank water, peeled an orange and ate it! He also did a lot of stretching, scratching his head and back. Everyone is very excited to have him at the zoo!

We will continue to post updates on Bruno's progress. Watch for a press release from the zoo in a few weeks when Bruno will be in the outer area of his new exhibit and the public can come and visit him!

Get to Know Bruno

Bruno playing in the water
More Bruno

Pictures of Bruno