The Nate-ure Report: Meet the Sun City’s very own Sun Bear

EL PASO, Texas -- Perhaps no animal at the El Paso Zoo is enjoying the Sun City as much as the Sun Bear!

In the latest edition of "The Nate-ure Report," ABC-7's Nate Ryan kicks it Heliana, the 26-year-old Malayan Sun Bear.

Malayan sun bears are critically endangered, due to habitat loss in their native southeast Asia.

"Their habitat is being destroyed by humans," says Katie Robertson, a zookeeper at the El Paso Zoo. "Sometimes they’re killed in that process and other time’s they have smaller territories, where sometimes they can’t coexist in the smaller spaces that they are given.” 

Heliana is safe at the Zoo, and has fun climbing trees with her 4-inch claws!

The sun bear holds some weight here El Paso, as each year she makes a prediction for the Sun Bowl based off team logos set up out by the zoo staff. 

Whether they are hanging out in the sun or making irrational football picks, Heliana the Sun Bear and Nate Ryan are one and the same.

Catch "The Nate-ure Report" weekdays on ABC-7 at 6.