Boris arrives from Florida

Summer 1998: Boris is a Russian Brown Bear. In 1998, he was approximately 10 years old. He had spent the majority of his life in a small barren cage at a roadside zoo in Florida. For the amusement of patrons, he was forced to "dance" for his supper. When he was fed, it was not enough for an animal of his immense size.

The zoo was finally closed down in the summer of 1998 and Boris was sent to the WAO. When he arrived, 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.  As you can see in the pictures below, he was so thin, he looked like a man in a bear suit.

(Click photos to enlarge).

Boris waiting for his breakfast on arrival.

2004: Boris got up to his current weight of ~700-800 lbs within a few months. Currently, Boris is housed at the WAO in a large enclosure with several toys including his favorite, a large pool. Boris loves to soak most of the day, especially during the summer!