A guided feeding experience at Avanti The Bear Den, Crown Point, Indiana
Bonnie and Clyde are two resident mute swans living at Avanti The Bear Den, a private wildlife sanctuary cabin in Crown Point, Indiana. Guests staying at the property may feed Bonnie and Clyde during their visit. The feeding experience is guided and uses approved food only.
Bonnie is younger and more variable in temperament than Clyde. As a one-year-old swan still settling into her environment, she is curious and responsive to guests but can be less predictable than the more established Clyde. All guest interactions with Bonnie are supervised by professional handlers on site. She is present year-round at the property in Crown Point, Indiana.
Clyde is the calmer and more predictable of the two swans. At 12 years old, he is experienced around people and responds consistently to guests during feeding interactions. He is present year-round at Avanti The Bear Den in Crown Point, Indiana, and is typically the first swan to approach during feeding time.
Mute swans (Cygnus olor) are large white waterfowl native to Europe and Asia and now widespread across North America. They are among the largest birds in the world, with long, gracefully curved necks and orange bills marked by a distinctive black knob at the base.
They live on ponds, lakes, and slow rivers, where they glide across the water and feed on aquatic plants. They are called mute because they are quieter than other swan species, though they are not silent and do make a range of soft sounds, hisses, and snorts.
Mute swans are long-lived birds. In protected and managed settings they commonly live well into their twenties, and a bonded pair often stays together over many seasons.
Feeding Bonnie and Clyde is one of the most memorable moments of a stay at Avanti The Bear Den. Guests staying overnight at Avanti The Bear Den are welcome to feed Bonnie and Clyde the resident mute swans by hand during their stay. The feeding is guided by property staff and uses approved food only.
Swan feeding at Avanti The Bear Den typically takes place in the evening as the light fades on the property. The experience is family-friendly and private. Only your group stays at a time, so there are no crowds and no rush. It is a calm, close moment with two swans who live on the property year-round.
Swan feeding at Avanti The Bear Den is supervised by professional animal handlers present on site at all times. The property is USDA licensed for exhibiting animals and insured for animal experiences. Bonnie and Clyde are accustomed to human interaction. No guest incidents have ever occurred at this property involving the swans.
Bonnie and Clyde receive daily care from professional animal handlers at Avanti The Bear Den. Animal care across the property is supported through a partnership with Purdue University as a learning facility.
[APPROVED FOOD -- OWNER TO CONFIRM: what food is used]
[GUEST CAPACITY AT FEEDING -- OWNER TO CONFIRM]
Avanti The Bear Den is located in Crown Point, Indiana, approximately one hour southeast of Chicago. The property sits in Northwest Indiana, an easy drive for guests looking for a quiet, nature-based getaway close to the city.
Bonnie and Clyde are resident mute swans living on the property year-round. Whatever season you visit, the two swans are part of the stay.
The swan feeding experience is one of several ways guests connect with the resident animals during a private cabin stay near Chicago, alongside observing Avanti the bear and Ethel the elk.
Bonnie and Clyde share the property with the other resident animals at Avanti The Bear Den.
A rescued American black bear and the namesake of the sanctuary. Observe him from a safe viewing area during his active seasons.
Meet AvantiA resident elk who moves naturally around the grounds. Observe her quiet presence during your stay.
Meet EthelSee every resident animal at the sanctuary and learn how observation and feeding work on the property.
All AnimalsNo questions in this topic.
Bonnie and Clyde are resident mute swans living at Avanti The Bear Den, a private wildlife sanctuary in Crown Point, Indiana. Bonnie is a one-year-old female and Clyde is a twelve-year-old male. They live on the property year-round.
Yes. Guests staying overnight at Avanti The Bear Den are welcome to feed Bonnie and Clyde the resident mute swans by hand during their stay. Swan feeding typically takes place in the evening. The feeding is guided and uses approved food only. [APPROVED FOOD DETAILS -- OWNER TO CONFIRM]
Mute swans (Cygnus olor) are large waterfowl native to Europe and Asia, now widespread across North America. They are among the largest birds in the world, with wingspans reaching six to eight feet. They are called mute because they are quieter than other swan species, though they do make sounds.
Mute swans can be protective of their space, especially during nesting season. At Avanti The Bear Den, guests approach Bonnie and Clyde with guidance from property staff to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both guests and the swans.
Yes. The swan feeding experience is family-friendly. Children are welcome to participate with adult supervision and staff guidance.
Yes. Bonnie and Clyde are resident swans and live on the property year-round. Guests can expect to see them during any season.
[OWNER TO CONFIRM: whether feeding is included automatically or scheduled separately]
Guests approach the swan area under staff guidance. The experience is designed to be close and personal while keeping both guests and swans comfortable and safe.
Swan feeding at Avanti The Bear Den is supervised by professional animal handlers present on site at all times. The property is USDA licensed for exhibiting animals and insured for animal experiences. Bonnie and Clyde are accustomed to human interaction. No guest incidents have ever occurred at this property involving the swans.
[OWNER TO CONFIRM: general location on property, such as pond area or specific area name]
Mute swans are large birds, typically weighing between 20 and 30 pounds. Their wingspans can reach six to eight feet. Bonnie, being one year old, is still growing into her full adult size.
Mute swans are long-lived birds. In protected and managed settings they commonly live well into their twenties, and a bonded pair often stays together over many seasons.
Bonnie and Clyde are resident swans accustomed to the property and its staff. Guests interact with them under guidance. The experience is calm and supervised rather than an open free-for-all encounter.
Avanti The Bear Den in Crown Point, Indiana is home to two resident mute swans, Bonnie and Clyde. Guests staying at the private wildlife sanctuary cabin can feed and observe them year-round.
Avanti The Bear Den is located in Crown Point, Indiana, approximately one hour southeast of Chicago, making it a convenient weekend getaway for visitors from the Chicago area.
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One group at a time, in a private cabin. Feed the swans, observe Avanti, and share the property with Ethel during a quiet stay near Chicago.