It’s no secret that bears like honey. But the way they purchase it in the wild is not exactly the most civilized. To the delight of the 77 bears at the sanctuary, honey that’s produced in-house comes directly to their muzzles. Eight hives were brought in and installed in the sanctuary, close to Max’s enclosure. In them live about 300,000 bees, who work from spring to fall to ensure that the bears get their dessert.
In a single year, one beehive produces over 15 kg of honey. About 120 kg of honey will reach the bears’ muzzles. Once harvested, the honey is offered to the bears once a week. It’s poured into loaves after they’re sliced in two and the core is removed. Pulsing with life for three seasons, the hives are ready for winter once the cold season approaches. The activity in the hive slows as temperatures drop. Worker bees, queens, and drones begin to form a ball to maintain a suitable temperature by exchanging heat, and in the middle of the ball lives the queen. But they can’t live without food all winter, so the hive caregivers leave 20 kg of honey in each hive.
