The term "pet grizzly bear" seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? That is, however, exactly what CafeMom is reporting is running loose today, Jan. 18, 2013, in Golden Gate Estates near Naples. The 100-pound grizzly bear cub’s name is BooBoo, and he belongs to an animal trainer, Dexter Osborn and his wife, Megan.
According to a press release by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, the bear escaped from the 400 block of DeSoto Avenue.
Deputies Search For Grizzly Bear Cub In GG Estates
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Posted Date: 1/15/2013 3:45 PM
Deputies are searching for a grizzly bear cub that ran away from a private residence in Golden Gate Estates on Tuesday morning.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in the search.
The 100-pound cub ran away from a residence in the 4000 block of DeSoto Boulevard around 11 a.m.
Deputies are cautioning residents in the area to be on alert for the cub and not approach it.
Residents are advised to secure trash cans in their garage or enclosed area
Anyone who sees the cub is asked to contact the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 252-9300, or call the FWCC Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
The Osborns have a business called “A Grizzly Experience,” and they have all the legal permits and caging to possess the cub, along with its brother and an older male grizzly bear named Tonk. According to their website, the cubs are a relatively new addition to their traveling show. The description of their business on the website is as follows:
“We provide profession, well-behaved bears for film work, live photography, live shows, and exhibits.”
At least we know that BooBoo is professional and well-behaved! You can see a photograph of BooBoo here.
According to the SunSentinel.com, if you find yourself face-to-face with the grizzly bear cub, don’t run. Wildlife officials explained that you should clap your hands and yell, “Bear, go home.” If you don’t feel comfortable with that, it is not advisable that you act on the suggestion by MSN.com:
Good news: Unlike its mammoth relatives in Alaska and the Northwest, this grizzly cub is just 100 pounds — so you can totally wrestle it to the ground if it comes to that.
According to their website, the Osborne's bears have a 2-acre enclosure on an 8-acre estate. ABC interviewed one of their neighbors who was nothing but complimentary of the Osborns and their bears, saying that there had never been a problem. Jimmy Carter, along with other neighbors, did not seem at all put off that there was a grizzly bear cub wandering their neighborhood. Everyone appeared to be going on with business as usual. Of course, considering all the other creatures with whom Floridians share their home, it’s almost understandable. Carter told ABC:
Even with the warning from FWC, Carter said he wasn’t going to worry about an unsupervised grizzly bear cub prowling his neck of the woods.
“Why?” said Carter, who has lived in the areas since 1995. “We’ve got bears everywhere. Panthers, bears, cougars — all kinds of animals out here. I’ve got gators coming up to my door.
“We live in their area.”
Be sure and "subscribe" to Tri-Cities Top News Examiner for those interesting news stories that you might have missed!
You can also find the Tri-Cities Top News Examiner on Facebook. Be sure you click "like."
Comments