An Entertainment Abuses Article from All-Creatures.org

PAWS Says Goodbye to Boo Boo the Bear

From PAWS Performing Animal Welfare Society
August 2023

Boo Boo, an American black bear, was born in a captive breeding compound in January 1994. He was taken from his mother when he was only two weeks old and sold as a "pet" to a family in Ohio. The family locked a chain around his neck and left him in their backyard. 

Boo Boo, an American black bear, was born in a captive breeding compound in January 1994. He was taken from his mother when he was only two weeks old and sold as a "pet" to a family in Ohio. The family locked a chain around his neck and left him in their backyard.

Young bears grow quickly, and soon the chain became embedded deep in Boo Boo’s neck. After discovering his plight, a good Samaritan bought him from the family, paid a veterinarian to surgically remove the chain, and reached out to PAWS seeking a home for this mistreated cub.

Boo Boo arrived at PAWS' Galt sanctuary in December 1994 where he soon met Winston, another young black bear. The two cubs became best friends and lived together for the next 26 years.

PAWS' Sanctuary Manager Brian Busta remembers how the two cubs enjoyed teasing their neighbor Lenny, a gruff old European brown bear who would toothlessly growl at their antics and send them scampering.

Boo Boo and Winston moved from Galt to their spacious new home in the Bob Barker Bear Habitat at our ARK 2000 sanctuary in December 2010, where they thrived among mature oak trees and native grasses, with ample space to roam and a pool to play in.

Boo Boo loved to dig in the soft earth. Even though he had a cozy den he often preferred to sprawl out on his back in one of the many beds he dug in his habitat, which he thickly padded with soft leaves and pine needles.

When Winston passed away from liver cancer in 2021, Boo Boo continued living the daily life of an older bear - lots of napping punctuated by bouts of foraging and exploring his habitat (pictured). Staff paid extra close attention to Boo Boo and catered to his needs as he got older.

Supervisor Renae recalls Boo Boo's fondness for Fig Newtons, and she made sure to always keep some on hand for him.

At 29 years of age, Boo Boo was considered an elderly bear. Like many older animals and humans, Boo Boo had arthritis for which he received anti-inflammatory medications and joint supplements (sometimes hidden in Fig Newtons!).

Caregivers worked closely with PAWS’ veterinary staff to monitor his comfort and mobility so changes could be made to his medications when needed. Boo Boo’s caregivers provided a nutritious diet that included fresh berries every day. For cool nights, they made a fluffy bed of hay in his den.

In late May, staff observed that Boo Boo had a soft cough after waking up in the morning, and sometimes after lying down for a nap during the day. PAWS' veterinarians prescribed medications to treat a respiratory infection, but because of his very advanced age also strongly suspected cancer or heart disease. So they began planning an anesthetized examination.

Despite the new cough, Boo Boo had an excellent appetite, was in good spirits, and got up every morning to explore his habitat for tasty treats scattered by his dedicated caregivers. Just a few days before his scheduled examination, Boo Boo passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep. A necropsy performed at U.C. Davis revealed that he had lung cancer.

Boo Boo will always be remembered for his calm and easy-going personality, his sweet tooth, and his love of leisure and relaxation. It was an honor to provide a good home for Boo Boo for so many years, and all who knew him will miss him always.

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