Watch the Russia's Grizzly Coast Construction Cam

View Russia’s Grizzly Coast site plan.

Russia’s Grizzly Coast will take guests on an exploration of three main areas of Russia’s Far East: the Pacific coast, the volcanic north, and the forested south.

The journey begins with the rugged beauty of the north Pacific where playful sea otters will cavort in the water among dramatic rock formations. Guests will be amazed at their adept ability to manipulate objects for food and for play, and will be able to view the antics of these endangered marine mammals from above and below the water.

Next is the stunning volcanic land of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula—home of Russia’s version of the grizzly bear. It is Yellowstone National Park times 10, and geysers, mud pots and lava tubes provide a dramatic backdrop for these massive omnivores as they play in the water, catch salmon from a stream, and roam a large grassy meadow.

Emerging from the geysers, guests will enter a place that is reminiscent of the forests of Minnesota. Heavily wooded, this southern tip of Russia is home to wild boars and two of the world’s largest and most endangered cats: the Amur leopard and the Amur tiger. These cats are as rare as they are beautiful with very few left in the wild. The Amur region is at the same latitude as Minnesota, so these large felines are right at home in the snow and cold of winter.

Russia’s Grizzly Coast connects with the Zoo’s Northern Trail featuring additional animals from northern biomes: Bactrian camels from the Asian steppe, musk oxen from the tundra, and Mexican wolves from the taiga, to name a few.