Our bears LOVE bubble baths, eating watermellons and just chilling with their friends.
Our Bears
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Why bears need
Sanctuaries
Bears may seem resilient, but in captivity, they face unique challenges that can lead to long-term stress or health issues. Many of the bears who find their way to sanctuaries like EARS were:
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Kept in cramped cages without access to natural behaviors like foraging, climbing, or swimming
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Exploited for entertainment or roadside attractions
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Malnourished or improperly fed
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Subjected to breeding programs that prioritize profit over welfare
Sanctuaries provide the large, secure habitats, proper diets, and enrichment activities that bears need to live healthy, fulfilled lives.
About Our Residents
At EARS, our bear habitats are designed with the animal’s comfort, health, and instincts in mind. This includes:
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Access to water features for swimming, cooling off, and even bubble baths
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Seasonal enrichment like pumpkins in the fall and frozen treats in the summer
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Room to roam with natural ground for digging, trees for shade, and climbing structures
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Social opportunities for those who thrive in the company of other bears
Every day, our care team ensures they have fresh food, clean water, and activities to keep them engaged.
About Bears
Species cared for at EARS: While our residents’ specific backgrounds vary, many come from species like American black bears.
Range: Black bears are native to North America, but captive bears often come from private ownership situations, unlicensed facilities, or failed zoos.
Lifespan: In the wild, bears may live 15–20 years; in sanctuary care, they can live longer with proper medical attention.
In the wild, bears spend much of their day foraging, exploring, and marking territory. In captivity, if they’re denied these behaviors, they can develop stress-related health problems — one reason why spacious, enriched sanctuary environments are so critical.
Diet and Favorite Treats
While bears are omnivores in the wild, our rescued bears receive a carefully balanced diet tailored to their health needs. Fresh produce, protein sources, and enrichment feeding keep them physically healthy and mentally stimulated.
Watermelon is a sanctuary favorite — refreshing, sweet, and hydrating during Florida’s hot months. Bubble baths are another hit, offering cooling fun and skin health benefits.
A Future Worth Protecting
At EARS, our bears are free to live as they choose — exploring, playing, lounging, and simply being bears. With your help, they will never again face confinement, exploitation, or neglect.
Their love for bubble baths, watermelon feasts, and lazy afternoons with friends reminds us that every rescued animal deserves not just survival, but the joy of living.