I got to handfeed a bear! Bears are my spirit animal and despite them being all over our area I never see them.
There is something absolutely magical about them. Spending time up close in person was amazing but to feed a bear is indescribable.
For my birthday, my oldest son took Troy and I up to Emerald Coast Zoo, where he had arranged for us to handfeed a bear.
Feeding a bear is one of the one on one attractions they offer at the zoo. My son knew that feeding a bear is something I would really love to do.
He was right.
The Emerald Coast Zoo is home to Bosley, a 5-year-old American Black Bear. Bosley was rejected by his mother and rescued by the zoo owner’s son at 11 weeks old.
He lived in the boy’s room until he got too big and was moved to this enclosure outside. The trainer told us that they built him a little house and decorated it with the kinds of things you would find in a bear’s nest.
The next morning Bosley had moved that stuff out. He redecorated by moving several of the barrels and balls from his enclosure inside his little couch.
A human raised him, so he probably wondered where his couch was.
I could have spent hours just talking to and feeding Bosley. Unfortunately, Troy and my son each had their own encounter scheduled so I had to step back and let them spend time with Bosley.
I learned a lot of interesting facts and just being that close to him was so special.
Troy and my son both agreed it was pretty cool to feed Bosley.
Watch here!
