Meet Potap: Africa’s only known bear that lives in Kenya

In a country best known for its iconic lions, elephants, and rhinos, few would expect to encounter a bear, let alone one that has called Kenya home for over two decades.

But at the Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy, nestled in the vast landscapes of Laikipia County, lives Potap – believed to be the only bear on the African continent.

Potap, a brown bear originally from Russia, arrived in Kenya in 2003 as a cub.

He was transferred to Ol Jogi from the Moscow Zoo in what conservancy staff describe as a rescue effort.

The bear, orphaned and unable to be released into the wild, was given a permanent home in Kenya after the conservancy agreed to provide a suitable long-term environment.

“Did you know that the only brown bear in #Africa lives in #Kenya?

“Meet #Potap, who lives in Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy in #Laikipia. He was donated from Moscow, #Russia at the age of 4 months in 2003,” the Russia Embassy in Kenya tweeted on May 23, 2022.

Now in his early 20s, Potap lives in a custom-built enclosure designed to meet his physical and behavioural needs.

It includes shaded areas, natural vegetation, swimming pools, climbing structures, and space to roam.

His caretakers say the bear maintains a healthy diet of fruit, meat, fish, and porridge — always with a touch of honey.

How to see Potap

Ol Jogi is a private conservancy, and access is limited to a small number of guests.

The property operates an exclusive luxury lodge, which accommodates only one group at a time. This model allows for a highly personalised safari experience, including the opportunity to visit Potap’s enclosure as part of a guided conservation tour.

Guests at the conservancy can learn about Potap’s story directly from the animal care team, view his habitat, and observe him during feeding or enrichment sessions – all within a strictly controlled, ethical setting that prioritises the bear’s well-being.

While day visits by the general public are not common, Ol Jogi occasionally partners with conservation and educational groups for special access.

Prospective visitors are encouraged to inquire directly through the Ol Jogi official website or through reputable travel operators that specialise in high-end Kenyan safaris.

Unique role in education

Though Potap is not a part of Africa’s native fauna, his presence at Ol Jogi supports the conservancy’s broader mission of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and public education.

School groups and conservation researchers visiting the centre are often struck by the sight of a bear in East Africa – an anomaly that sparks conversations about human-animal conflict, international conservation policy, and the challenges of caring for non-native species.

Potap in context

Bears are not native to Africa, and historically, only a few African zoos have housed them.

In South Africa, the Johannesburg Zoo was once home to two polar bears, Wang and GeeBee, who lived in climate-controlled enclosures.

Both animals passed away by 2017, and the zoo later announced it would not acquire more bears due to ethical and environmental considerations.

Potap, therefore, is a rare case. His continued presence in Kenya is not part of a display or breeding program, but rather a long-term commitment to an animal whose survival depended on human intervention.

As the sun sets over Laikipia’s golden savannah, Potap, Africa’s only known bear, moves quietly in his shaded enclosure, a solitary figure whose story continues to draw quiet curiosity and deep reflection from those lucky enough to meet him.