Somerset residents invited to Noah's Ark Zoo and Farm this summer

The multi-award-winning attraction has more than 100 animal species, huge indoor and outdoor play areas, fascinating keeper talks and Britain’s longest hedge maze - so there is something for everyone.

Last year, the zoo announced the birth of rare Andean bear cubs, on January 11, to first-time mum, Madidi. They are only the second set of Andean bear twins ever to be born in Britain.

Cubs are born blind and helpless, weighing around 300 grams and roughly the size of a guinea pig.

The keepers monitored mum and cubs closely. Cubs Beni and Tuichi continue to do well.

Bear cubs. Credit: NQ staff

The Andean bear facility at Noah’s Ark is state-of-the art and has a specially-designed cubbing den.

It is fitted with sensitive microphones and 24-hour infra-red CCTV to capture video footage and the high-pitched trilling and chittering noises from the cubs when they were small.

Using this hi-tech system, keepers were able to monitor Madidi’s progress through the intense nesting period and maintain a hands-off approach in the first few delicate months of the cubs' lives, which is very important for these secretive bears.

Keepers have been able to continue to provide excellent standards of care to Rasu, the cubs' father, using specially- designed access points.

Andean bears are largely solitary in the wild and the male has no participation in the rearing of the cubs. Madidi and the cubs did not venture outside of her den until after the first couple of months.

Andean bars are also referred to as spectacled bears, due to their distinctive facial markings that can often give them the look of spectacles on their face. They are also famously the inspiration behind Paddington Bear from ‘darkest Peru'.

Andean bears are the only species of bear to inhabit South America. Conservationists believe that there are fewer than 10,000 in the wild. They are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as vulnerable to extinction.

Between January 1 and December 31, visitors can enjoy an exclusive up-close encounter with male bear Rasu and join the Keepers on the view point to meet Madidi and her cubs Beni and Tuichi.

Elephant Parade

Last year, visitors were able to experience part of the world's largest elephant-themed art collection at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.

The zoo showcased a herd of 26 hand-painted unique elephant sculptures in Elephant Parade, from July 1-August 31, 2022.

The herd was led by Zebra Beats, who is covered in striking rainbow-zebra stripes. The trail was included within general zoo admission.

Elephant Parade encompasses themes of art, conservation, education and, of course, is lots of fun. The herd of decorative elephants formed a trail across the 100 acres of beautiful North Somerset countryside for visitors to explore and discover.

The sculptures supported the zoo’s ethos of conservation and sustainability and incorporatde inclusive messages in each of the incredible designs.

The organisation was started by Marc and Mike Spits, who were moved bythe emotional story of a seven-month old Asian elephant called Mosha.

The young elephant had survived standing on a land mine, but lost her right leg. The work of the Spits resulted in an initial exhibition in Rotterdam in 2007 and the support  of organisations Elephant Family and Friends of the Asian Elephant in a range of elephant conservation projects.

Mosha was made a special prosthetic leg which has made daily life much easier for her. Today, The Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital is still the home of Mosha.

Keep an eye out on the Elephant Parade website to see if they will run a similar event this year.