San Francisco Zoo Honors Bay Area's First Grizzly Bear With an Exclusive Ty Beanie Baby(R)

SAN FRANCISCO, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the San Francisco Zoo and Ty Inc. (Ty) have announced the launch of an exclusive edition Ty Beanie Baby(R) of the Bay Area's first-ever captive California grizzly bear -- Monarch. The Zoo's inaugural Ty Beanie Baby(R) celebrates the male grizzly bear who served as the foundation for the San Francisco Zoo in the early 1900s, despite never setting a paw in the Zoo's current location.

Monarch Beanie Babies, which go on pre-sale beginning April 6, can be purchased only through the San Francisco Zoo's Web site at http://www.sfzoo.org/ for $7.99 (does not include sales tax or shipping and handling). The famous Ty Beanie Baby(R) hang tag will feature Monarch's birth date, a replica of the California state flag and the San Francisco Zoo's logo, as well as the signature Beanie Baby poem. Monarch Beanie Babies will be available for purchase at the Zoo's Wildlife Connection gift shop in May.

Known to be California's last living grizzly, Monarch became an important symbol of the state's evolving relationship with vanishing wildlife. Monarch, named after the old San Francisco Examiner, the "Monarch of the Dailies," lived more than 20 years in captivity -- first in Woodward's Garden in the Mission District, then in the city's first official zoo at Golden Gate Park. His presence inspired Herbert Fleishhacker to pursue the dream of a San Francisco Zoo. Tipping the scales at more than 1,000 pounds, Monarch became a figure of strength and rejuvenation when he survived the great 1906 earthquake and fire.

Though he died in 1911, Monarch delighted thousands of visitors, sired two cubs and his mount was sketched as the modern-day emblem on the California state flag, so his spirit goes on to represent the city's commitment to sharing space with vanishing wildlife.

"The San Francisco Zoo is excited about the opportunity to connect families with one of the most famous grizzly bears and California's prominent symbol through our alliance with Ty," said Manuel Mollinedo, executive director at the San Francisco Zoo. "We look forward to sharing the tale of Monarch and how his legacy continues on at the Zoo through our female grizzly bears Kachina and Kiona and the opening of our newest exhibit Grizzly Gulch on June 14."

Recognized as the California state mammal, the grizzly bear is now extinct in the state. Between 1800 and 1975, the grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states decreased from 50,000 to less than 1,000. The decline can be attributed to human development, livestock depredation control, commercial trapping and unregulated hunting. The life span of a grizzly bear ranges from 20 - 30 years.

About TY

About San Francisco Zoo

Encompassing 100 acres, the historic San Francisco Zoo is Northern California's largest zoological park. In June, visitors will journey to the rugged regions of North America to view the Zoo's female grizzly bears in a new expansive habitat -- Grizzly Gulch. The 1-acre exhibit features a sunny meadow, pool, mountain stream waterfall and underwater-viewing. Located on the Great Highway between Skyline and Sloat Boulevards, across from the Pacific Ocean, the Zoo is open daily, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For general Zoo information visit the Web site at http://www.sfzoo.org/ or call 415.753.7080.