Our Bears - Mimi, ABR's Exceptional Bear

Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Officer Walter Cook asked ABR to take Mimi from Federal Wildlife personnel from Alabama.  Alabama officials named her “Mimosa” but it was shortened to Mimi.

When Mimi arrived at ABR, we realized the chances were minimal on her being able to live in the wild but we gave it our best shot. Mimi learned quickly from observing the other bears in the pen with her. She huffed and chomped, bluffed and charged small trees.  She climbed trees and was fearless of the rain and windstorms.  She would entertain herself by “boxing” with an orange highway cone that she planted on a tree stump and rolled around on the ground while balancing logs above her with “all-fours.”  She “danced” while holding logs in her front paws (or lettuce, carrots or anything else she picked up!). 

As ABR observed Mimi over the next several weeks, it became clear that she had no idea that she was a bear and she would never be able to survive in the wild. Once it became clear that Mimi could not be released, ABR's curator was able to "place" Mimi with The North Carolina Museum of Life and Science where Mimi now spends her days and nights lounging around with the other bears.

While ABR treats every bear in the hope that it will return to life in the wild, when a bear is habituated to the point where it cannot be released, we are pleased when a suitable home can be found.