The bears at the West Island’s Ecomuseum Zoo (EZ) ended their winter hibernation this week in what could be the surest sign of spring. Two black bears named Homer and Marge gingerly stepped outside their den on Monday, March 12, the third earliest ever recorded ‘Bears Day Out.’ The three adult black bears at the Ecomuseum started their winter slumber in early December. But the oldest bear there, Suzie, was apparently still sleeping on Monday. “Suzie is 27 years old, which is very old for a black bear,” explained Ecomuseum employee Lacey Hebert to excuse Suzie’s absence. About 50 people, including media, assembled to watch the bears step out.

Circus incognitus photo credit Amanda Russell

TOHU: A performance for the whole family

The TOHU Centre is offering many activities during the spring break from March 5—11 including its Circus Incognitus spectacle where Jamie Adkins puts on daily performances at 2 p.m. of “pure poetry of movement” and breathtaking acrobatics, punctuated with irresistible gags. This performance is described as being for the whole family (age 5 and up). “His incredible showmanship held the audience’s attention from start to finish and left onlookers wondering what he was going to do next,” is how the California-based The Daily Pilot described his act. Adults: $35 / kids: $12. TOHU also offers workshops initiating participants to circus arts, crafts workshops, and guided visits. 2345, rue Jarry East (Metro Jarry / STM bus 193 - East) 514 376-TOHU (8648) www.tohu.ca

The Montreal Botanical Garden’s popular “Butterflies Go Free / Papillons en liberté” exhibit is back for its 15^th annual edition. Since 1998, more than 1,500,000 visitors have been thrilled to find a greenhouse filled with thousands of colourful butterflies during the stark Canadian winter. The 2012 edition of the exhibit showcases not only butterflies—which are active by day—but also their cousins, the moths that are active by night. To do this, two greenhouses, the Main Exhibition Greenhouse and the Fern Greenhouse, are being used to create both daytime and twilight conditions.

courtesy of the Ecomuseum zoo

From Saturday March 3 to Sunday March 11, break from the routine and come to the zoo for unforgettable experiences! Spring Break is the perfect time to top up your energy reserves before spring arrives. The Ecomuseum zoo and its multitude of fun outdoors activities is exactly what the doctor prescribed!

MwK previously reported on the recent eviction of Fort Angrignon (FA) from the former zoo at Angrignon Park. This eviction was motivated by austerity measures on the part of the Southwest Borough of Montreal. Now the indoor challenge centre is looking for new quarters.

“We would need a space of 10,000 to 12,000 square feet,” FA general manager Gaetan Savoie wrote to us when we asked what kind of new quarters he is seeking.

release by CPSC