Bear Habitat

A Tradition of Stewardship Through Education and Conservation

The "Patron Saint of all Baylordom," the Bear has served as the Baylor Mascot since 1914 when students selected it over the Buffalo, Antelope, Frog, Ferret, and Bookworm.

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Meet Our Bears

Many American Black Bears have called Baylor home since 1917. Our current bears, Judge Joy Reynolds (Joy) and Judge Sue Sloan (Lady), are biological sisters. Joy arrived on campus as a cub in 2001 and was named after the wife of the 11th President of Baylor, Dr. Herbert H. Reynolds. Lady arrived as a cub one year later and was named after the wife of the 12th President of Baylor, Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr. Lady's nickname comes from Mrs. Sloan serving as the First Lady of Baylor.

Our Bears
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News

Oct
14
2020
Bear Update: Home and Health
After a late 2019 diagnosis with a benign thymoma mass, Lady, 18, received a series of innovative, noninvasive radiation doses called TomoTherapy — a treatment believed to be the first of its kind done on a bear. Follow-up examinations and radiograph images in July of this year showed Lady’s mass has not expanded, even suggesting a 20 percent reduction in size.
Sep
3
2020
Presidential Perspective - September 3, 2020
As we reach the end of the second week of the fall semester, I want to commend all of you for your continued wearing of facemasks, practicing social distancing and following University guidelines and policies during this unique time of COVID-19.
Aug
26
2020
Baylor Bear Mascot Lady Recovering from Successful Operation to Remove Mass on Spine
WACO, Texas (Aug. 26, 2020) – Baylor University announced today that Judge Lady, one of the University’s two American black bears, is recovering from a successful operation to remove a mass that developed around her spinal column.
Jul
23
2020
Presidential Perspective - July 23, 2020
Be sure to check your mailboxes as we get closer to the fall semester. In the weeks ahead, we will start mailing mandatory COVID-19 test kits to all students, faculty and staff.
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Our Home

Bill & Eva Willams Bear Habitat

Baylor students, school groups, and campus visitors frequently visit Joy and Lady’s home at the Bill & Eva Williams Bear Habitat, a facility heralded as one of the most visited spots on campus. The Habitat welcomes an estimated 250,000 visitors per year, including over 5,000 children visiting on educational trips for schools, camps, etc. The Bill & Eva Williams Bear Habitat is fully accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture as a Class C Zoo, and the license is renewed annually based on adherence to standards of care and facility maintenance, demonstrated during random and rigorous inspections by the USDA. We look forward to seeing you soon!

M.P. Daniel Esplanade
Waco,TX 76706

Directions

Daily:
9:30 AM - 8:00 PM

(Hours are subject to change
due to weather and special events.)

Connect With Us


(254) 710-3322

Bill & Eva Willams Habitat
M.P. Daniel Esplanade, Waco, TX 76706

Baylor Chamber of Commerce
Bill Daniel Student Center (SUB) basement
1311 S. 5th Street, Waco, TX 76706

Joy and Lady Bear
One Bear Place #97185, Waco, TX 76798

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Operated by the Baylor Chamber of Commerce

USDA Licensed Class C Zoo