Collection: Huggy

Species: Kamchatka Brown Bear (Ursus arctos)
DOB: January 18, 2012
Sex: Male
Arrival Date: January 20, 2017

Rescue Story: In 2016, the owner of a Colorado based cub petting and breeding operation was diagnosed with cancer, and could no longer run his profitable business. Turpentine Creek acquired the 12-acre closed-down exhibition facility to enable our rescue of the 115 animals onsite. There, we found big cats suffering in cramped cages with flimsy plywood dens that were dangerously exposed to public areas. Onsite records showed very little history of veterinary care, but revealed that the owner had ties to Joe Exotic, and was breeding his big cats to supply other entities within the cub petting and entertainment industries.

TCWR staff and interns spent six months both onsite caring for the animals, and in the relocation of every animal to accredited sanctuaries throughout the nation. After 6 months, and many miles traveled, all animals were placed in forever homes for a second chance at life and 34 of those animals came to Turpentine Creek. Huggy is one of those 34 animals. 

More about Huggy: Huggy lives in a state of the art, all natural black bear habitat with some other bears. Since black bear are native to Arkansas, the concept was to completely fence in a large acreage area of forest so that the bears can behave like wild bears!  They are still fed, have their pools cleaned and are looked after by Animal Care Staff, however they can be found climbing trees, foraging for their own food, building dens, and doing other natural bear behaviors. Huggy is a Kamchatka brown bear, also known as Russian brown bear or Far Eastern brown bear, and related to the Kodiak. The largest bear in Eurasia, the Kamchatka brown bear can grow to be 1,433 lbs. A true gentle giant Huggy will easily outweigh our big ham of a grizzly, Bam Bam, who can weigh up to 800 lbs. Huggy is a very curious bear who has had fun exploring his habitat at the Refuge. He loves splashing in his pool, playing hide-and-seek in the dense foliage and exploring anything that’s been scented with perfumes and spices.