2010:  Tracing the origins of a very special Russian Brown Bear, named Boris, led to a most amazing discovery regarding his previous owners.

In September 1998, Boris was airlifted from The Wild Animal Retirement Village, located in Waldo, Florida to San Antonio, Texas.  The Wild Animal Retirement Village (WARV), home to several ex-circus animals, relinquished Boris because the owners could no longer care for him.   Over the years, the WARV drew both praise and criticism while it was open for its treatment of animals, and was the subject of scrutiny from state and federal agencies. The WARV eventually closed its doors forever after relocating its animals to other animal facilities.

Boris, a 10-year old gregarious bear, arrived underweight and undernourished at the Wild Animal Orphanage (WAO). This majestic bear weighed only 300-350 lbs! He should have weighed AT LEAST 700 lbs. (The average weight on brown bears is 800-1200 lbs.) He was also riddled with roundworms.  When Boris first arrived he looked like a man in a bear suit!

(Click to enlarge photo)

 Despite his health challenges, Boris quickly settled into the WAO’s daily routine and he gained weight rather quickly.  It became quite apparent Boris had been taught to perform for food, dancing and prancing around the enclosure during feeding time.   Based on Boris’ behavior it was assumed the bear was forced to “dance for his supper” by his previous owners.  Boris was definitely no Fred Astaire, as he often tripped over his two left feet!  Boris loved to clown around with his caretakers, winning the hearts of everyone who either cared or visited him on a regular basis.

It wasn’t until years later the WAO learned Boris’ secret.  As it turned out, Boris was not taught to “dance for his supper” while living at the Wild Animal Retirement Village, but rather he was taught to perform tricks while traveling with the Moscow Circus!  Boris was probably with the circus for most of his young life until he was "retired" to the Florida sanctuary around 1994.

It has been 12 years since Boris arrived at the WAO.  Today, Boris moves a little slower, sleeps a little longer, but he is still the gregarious bear that arrived in San Antonio over a decade a go.  Every once in awhile Boris will dance a few steps, reminding us all of his most unusual history. 

(Click to enlarge the photos)

   Photos taken Jan 2010