It took a while to name him, as it always does….watching; feeling the personality of each individual. Most of the names ended up reflecting the magnificence of wild animals – Northwind, Moonlight, Windwalker, but in this case there was no other option as we watched him play, sweetly, gently,  not too coordinated; not too quick on the draw …..a shy and hesitant creature in a big scary world. The name just came out – Humble Bumble.

He was found at a roadside zoo, just a few weeks old. and it was clear even then that he was a “differently-abled” bear. Now three years old he is already enormous for his age,  but it isn’t the unusual size that one notices  - it is a gentleness, an innocence, that reminds one of Lennie in Of Mice and Men. It is in the expression of his face, in his movements, in the whole feel that he emanates. Humble Bumble is learning-disabled. He could never make it in the wild or with other bears. He would have become the butt of bear jokes in their rough and tumble play; the picked-on kid wanting so badly to be accepted.  I always liked the term “differently-abled” rather than “handicapped,” because each has their own special gift to give, and Humble Bumble has his  – everybody who sees him falls in love with him. Quite a feat for a grizzly bear.  A unique spokes-bear for his kind.  

It is most clear when he plays with his teacher, guardian, friend and savior, Boychuk the German Shepard. To see the care and obvious affection with which Humble Bumble holds back his strength as he plays with the slender dog is to add a new dimension to one’s perception of bears. When the Wildlife Garden was safely enclosed, the time came to lead him into his new play area. No way. He knew his pen and that was home and that was safety. It was a scary world out there and he was having none of it. Hours upon patient hours of coaxing. He wouldn’t budge. Then Boychuk came to the rescue.

To be continued…..  

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