'Paddington' bears tour crowd-free Machu Picchu
The First Art Newspaper on the Net    Established in 1996 Monday, December 2, 2024


'Paddington' bears tour crowd-free Machu Picchu
This file photo taken on November 02, 2020, shows the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, in Cusco, Peru amid the new coronavirus pandemic. ERNESTO BENAVIDES / AFP.



LIMA (AFP).- Two members of South America's only bear species -- a mother and her cub -- have been spotted exploring the ruins of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, where tourist numbers have been restricted due to the pandemic.

The pair of Spectacled bears, also known as Andean bears, were captured on film clambering around the mountainous site's dry-stone walls before slinking off into the jungle, Peru's culture ministry said.

With the absence of tourists due to the coronavirus pandemic, the bears -- said to be the inspiration for the children's book character Paddington Bear, who came from the jungles of Peru -- have been able to explore where they would otherwise avoid.

Biologist Ernesto Escalante, who is in charge of the Machu Picchu sanctuary surrounding the archaeological site, said the mammals are naturally fearful of humans.

The Spectacled bear is classified as "vulnerable" on the red list of threatened species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

It is the only surviving bear species in South America and the last of the short-faced bear subgroup.

It is a small omnivorous mammal, standing between 1.3 meters (4.2 feet) and 1.9 meters tall and weighing between 80 and 125 kilograms (176-275 pounds).

The dark-colored bear, usually black, gets its name from light patches on its face that form spectacle-like rings around its eyes.

Humans are its main threat, encroaching on their natural habitat and killing bears that damage crops or capture livestock. Andean bear products are used for medicinal or ritual purposes, according to the IUCN, and in some areas the creatures' meat is highly prized.

Live bears are sometimes captured and sold.

Machu Picchu was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983. Visitor numbers are restricted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

© Agence France-Presse










Today's News

January 19, 2021

Conversations with Tribal Weavers

Simon Lee Gallery opens an exhibition of new paintings by Alex Hubbard

Exhibition at David Zwirner explores the formal qualities of abstraction

Christie's to offer Old Master drawings from a private collection

Metro Pictures opens an exhibition of colorful new woodcut landscape paintings by Olaf Breuning

Mein Kampf published in Poland as 'homage to victims'

'Baby Trump' blimp acquired by Museum of London

Diverse Design exhibition reveals a collector's passion for Finnish design

With new urgency, arts groups hire diversity officers

The devilish life and art of Lucian Freud, in full detail

Marc Straus opens an exhibition of oil paintings by Michael Brown

Unfolding by Matthew Shlian documents a decade of unexpected creativity

Remnant, Artifact, Flow: Thierry Goldberg opens a group show

'Paddington' bears tour crowd-free Machu Picchu

A digital four-play retrospective is a trip into the otherworldly

Warhol Foundation supports major Fall 2021 Harvard Art Museums photography exhibition

Michelle Poonawalla exhibits at Tao Art Gallery

Militaria, fine art and decorative accessories to be offered by EstateOfMind

Important Second War S.O.E. D.C.M. group of eight fetches £95,000 at Dix Noonan Webb

Unique project brings together a diverse curated selection of international contemporary art

London 2012 Summer Olympics gold winner's medal among olympic memorabilia up for auction

Favorite group of Biden's late son reunites for inauguration

Paging through Broadway while the stages are dark

Milestone Auctions to offer fresh-to-market, historically important firearms

Tips for Streamlining Your Backup Processes with Object Storage

Tips to buy a queen size mattress

Working From Home: 10 Tips to Improve Productivity

5 Known Sports Men that Collect Expensive Art

What are the types of Workplace discrimination?

8 Best Kinds of Dog Beds for Your Pets

How To Deal With Slow Weeks As A Photographer

The Most Memorable Artworks of 2021

Is Blackjack A Game Of Skill Or Chance?

7 Benefits of Using a VPN

Should I File a Third-Party Claim to get Compensation for a Work Injury?

What Happens When an Injury Case Goes to Court?




Museums, Exhibits, Artists, Milestones, Digital Art, Architecture, Photography,
Photographers, Special Photos, Special Reports, Featured Stories, Auctions, Art Fairs,
Anecdotes, Art Quiz, Education, Mythology, 3D Images, Last Week, .

 



Founder:
Ignacio Villarreal
(1941 - 2019)
Editor & Publisher: Jose Villarreal
Art Director: Juan José Sepúlveda Ramírez
Writer: Ofelia Zurbia Betancourt

Royalville Communications, Inc
produces:

ignaciovillarreal.org juncodelavega.com facundocabral-elfinal.org
Founder's Site. Hommage
to a Mexican poet.
Hommage
       

The First Art Newspaper on the Net. The Best Versions Of Ave Maria Song Junco de la Vega Site Ignacio Villarreal Site
Tell a Friend
Dear User, please complete the form below in order to recommend the Artdaily newsletter to someone you know.
Please complete all fields marked *.
Sending Mail
Sending Successful