OSHKOSH, WI- (WISS) – The Menominee Park Zoo celebrated the opening of its new Bear and Fox Exhibit and the arrival of the Zoo’s new black bear, Mr. Reeves with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and holiday festivities.

Attendees met the trio of feisty foxes and their fun-loving neighbor, Mr. Reeves, while carolers and musicians spread the joy of the holiday season.

Chad Dallman, Assistant Parks Director for the Oshkosh Parks Department, said Mr. Reeves, who is a black bear cub, was captured in Alaska, where he had gotten too used to humans.

Mr. Reeves’ story

“He was in a community. He was a little bit of a nuisance. And then when they captured him, the community was a little concerned that he would be euthanized. We educated them, that he would be coming to a zoo to be a conservational and education piece for us. That kind of changed the outlook of that taking place,” Dallman said. “So, a long process through them. But then here he is. It’s a good thing.”

Mr. Reeves is just a cub. Dallman estimates he is about a year old.

“We just weighed him the other day at 137 pounds for a young cub yet. He’ll grow to be 400 to 500 in time. It’ll be great to see him grow here for, probably, 30 years, the average life for a captive bear,” Dallman said

Mr. Reeves, the new black bear cub at the Menominee Park Zoo will grow to be 400 to 500 pounds. Photo: Lisa M. Hale/Civic Media

Why “Mr. Reeves”? It’s quite the unique name for a bear. Dallman explains he was originally named in Alaska.

“Keanu Reeves is the actor. They were doing actor names. And that was the name they came up with. We have a macaw that’s named Keana. So instead of being consistent with the two names, we started calling him Mr. Reeves, and it really stuck!” Dallman said.

Joining Mr. Reeves in an exhibit next door are three foxes, Mellie, Apollo, and Joey, who delighted zoogoers with their antics.

Mellie, the fox, surveys her area at the Menominee Park Zoo. Photo: Lisa M. Hale/Civic Media

The Menominee Park Zoo is open from 10 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday only, and will be closed December 24th and 25th. This year is the first year that the Menominee Park Zoo will remain open during the winter months. The zoo is always free to visit.

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