Man living close to bears

[carmen]

We caught a video clip the other day online somewhere of a guy who helped to raise a lion and she ended up having cubs. He has such a great time with that big kitty that she lets him bring the cubs to her during nursing times. I was quite shocked thinking how long it took to gain that much trust. I am sure its quite similar with the bear too, sometimes animals just surprise us with their disposition.

[Grandpa]

Originally Posted by carmen

We caught a video clip the other day online somewhere of a guy who helped to raise a lion and she ended up having cubs. He has such a great time with that big kitty that she lets him bring the cubs to her during nursing times. I was quite shocked thinking how long it took to gain that much trust. I am sure its quite similar with the bear too, sometimes animals just surprise us with their disposition.

You might get away with this in a pen with a known animal but out in the wild with various critters coming and going, it's a sure bet eventually one of those critters is going to have a grudge going.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


I do remember a video I saw about two guys who raised a lion from a cub (and mostly indoors, apparently).

When it just got too big to be considered a 'pet' anymore, they arranged to bring it to Africa, where a gamekeeper gradually acclimated it to the area, where it was then set free.

A year or two later, the guys who raised it came back for a visit. Cautiously entering the area where the lion was last seen, the lion spoted them, cantered toward them...then ran full speed toward them, leaped upon them...and HUGGED them...!! It was an amazing reunion...!! The lion had recognized them instantly!

Perhaps some of you have seen that video also. I think that a movie was made about it as well.

[Grandpa]

Second Hand Lions ? Starring Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, and Haley Joel Osment?

[Hikenhunter]

I had a raccoon as a pet when I was about 14 years old. She had already been "TAMED" before I came into possession of her. I think she was 2 years old when I got her and for the next two years she was a blast. There were many fun times with her. ( Those stories being saved for the right place and time.) One day I noticed some hair loss in patches on her so we took her to the vet who determined that it was mange. As we treated her for the mange she seemed to get more aggressive till nobody could handle her anymore. For safety's sake my grandpa made me take her away one day and I had to put her down. One of the hardest things I ever had to do but I was told it was my responsibility and it had to be done, so I did it. This is just my story but I have heard others that are similar. The point to all these stories is that Wild animals are unpredictable, always, and should be left to be wild. Anytime you come in close contact with even the smallest of them you are putting yourself at some risk. Nobody deserves to die the way Tim Treadwell did but he put himself at risk, let down his guard and that is what happens. Wild animals should never be fully trusted because you do not know what they are thinking. When those lions ran full speed towards those fellas who came back to visit them they could have killed them just as easily as they hugged them. Those guys were lucky but next time those lions might be looking for dinner instead of wanting to have an old family reunion. JMO

[ppine]

I became a fan of Werner Herzog after watching his films about Treadwell. Tim was a tragic figure but was surely famous among uninformed urbanites around Los Angeles. People in Alaska felt sorry for him and put up with his antics which cost him his life in a very predictable way.

Mess with predators and bad things are sure to happen.

[CozInCowtown]

Originally Posted by ppine

I became a fan of Werner Herzog after watching his films about Treadwell. Tim was a tragic figure but was surely famous among uninformed urbanites around Los Angeles. People in Alaska felt sorry for him and put up with his antics which cost him his life in a very predictable way.

Mess with predators and bad things are sure to happen.

That is pretty much what I got out his "adventures".

[Marshmallow]

All these man and beast friendships are great in a movie or children's book, but when it comes to making them come true in real life, that's where I'm drawing the line. Taking chances is just not worth the cost. Animals can kill you, even if they're just playing with you. I'm not hugging a gorilla, now matter how much he "loves" me.

[Gondor]

Originally Posted by Grandpa

Remember the show Grizzly Adams? Then on the other hand, there's been a couple of guys that have gone to live with bears that ended up dying with them too.

I grew up watching that show. That show almost defined my childhood and my later love to nature and animals. I watched the movie recently.

[Barney]

I can't remember the name of the guy that lives somewhere in Alaska and feed Grizzlies himself. Up till recently nobody knew about him. I can't remember the name of the show. He is still alive though.