?
Posted on 07/12/2006 7:01:32 AM PDT by martin_fierro
Bear voluntarily returns to enclosure
2 hours, 40 minutes ago
GOLDEN, British Columbia - Boo the runaway grizzly bear has returned on his own to his enclosure at a resort, apparently because of the ease of getting food and the end to the mating season, officials said.
After nearly three weeks on the lam after busting out of confinement, the 4-year-old bear ambled back into the 22-acre artificial enclosure Saturday, said Michael Dalzell, sales and marketing director at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort outside this town on the western slope of the Canadian Rockies.
"We believe he came back because he recognizes this as his comfort area and a reliable source of food," Dalzell said Monday.
Resort operators should have plenty of time to figure out how to keep Boo from getting loose again, he said.
"We feel that now that mating season is over, his urge to escape will be minimized," Dalzell said.
Boo escaped twice within two weeks last month, the second time on June 25, when he bashed a nearly 400-pound steel door off its four bolts, destroyed an electrical box while tearing through two electric fences and scrambled over a 12-foot fence anchored with two feet of steel below ground.
Between escapes, resort operators and officials in the provincial Environment Ministry contemplated neutering him, but he made his second getaway before they could act.
"We're working again with the MOE to find a solution," Dalzell said, adding that he couldn't say what solutions were being considered.
The bear has lived in the enclosure since his mother was illegally shot by a hunter in 2002. It's unclear how long he could fend for himself and, being used to humans, would likely be a problem if left to roam, experts said.
Boo's apparent desire for a mate caught his keepers off guard because grizzlies usually don't mature until age 5. Officials said the regular and easy supply of food might have enabled him to mature a year early.
The resort isn't taking any chances and has made the bear enclosure off-limits to visitors, at least for the summer, Dalzell said.
?
...when he bashed a nearly 400-pound steel door off its four bolts, destroyed an electrical box while tearing through two electric fences and scrambled over a 12-foot fence anchored with two feet of steel below ground
Poor Boo, this probably isn't going to factor in favorably to the 'nixing of the nards' decision making process. It isn't looking good for Boo's boys.
Horniest. Bear. Ever.
I can't see Boo but I can hear his heavy breathing...
Wonder what they'll do to me when I return from mating season...?
I am laughing so hard, my sides hurt!
LOL
First, find someone brave or crazy enough to try it.
[Thanks to sully777 for the ping!]
Bear Liberal voluntarily returns to enclosure welfare state.
Whoever tries it better bring a lunch. I think Boo will arleady have his.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.