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Bear Pits:
Legend has it that the founder of Bern, Berchtold V von Zähringen, killed a bear on the Aare peninsula and this led to the town being called Bern (from German "Bär") and explains why the city's coat of arms features a bear.
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A new park for the bears in Bern
Bern's landmark, the bear pit, is being transformed into a large BearPark. All will be ready by the autumn of 2009: The Bernese heraldic animal will be released into a new freedom on the beautiful slopes of the river Aare. In the new BearPark, a landscape is being created that will allow bears to climb, fish and play - but also to withdraw from the public gaze.
In January the first sod was turned for the BearPark. Since then, construction work on the new park on the slopes above the river Aare beneath the present bear pit has proceeded apace. The BearPark will be opened in October 2009. The approx. 6000-m2-site extends from the current bear pit down to the shore of the river Aare. Two small forested areas, many shrubs, three caves and a generously-proportioned pool parallel to the Aare will enable the bears to enjoy a genuine "bear's life".
Designed for an enhanced experience
A visit to the BearPark is sure to be a very special experience for children as well as adults. The visitor's path leads through the centre of the park, right down to the footpath leading along the shoreline of the Aare, providing visitors with a wonderful insight into a bear's life. Bears can be observed playing, swimming and climbing - practically at first hand.
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