San Diego Sanctuary Providing New Home to Oklahoma Bears

July 27, 2011 - PRLog -- San Diego – Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB) Founder and Director, Bobbi Brink has just returned from an emergency visit to Norman, Oklahoma to assess the condition of two black bears, Delilah and Blossom, that are the lone residents of the recently closed Little River Zoo and has made arrangements to bring them back to San Diego to be cared for at Lions, Tigers and Bears Big Cat Sanctuary.

“The two bears, while obese and over-heated, were in relatively good health but in need of nutrition and a strict diet,” said Bobbi Brink, Founder of Lions, Tigers & Bears. “We are fortunate that our sanctuary is in the midst of constructing a new bear habitat and with a few additional modifications, will be able to house the two bears and provide a safe and healthy home for them.”

Time is critical for Brink and the bears as arrangement were being made to ship them to a “game ranch” where they could be hunted. Brink left for Oklahoma on Friday afternoon to visit with the remaining zoo officials along with a veterinarian paid for by LTB who provided an assessment of the bear’s health. With temperatures reaching 103 degrees, there is an increased health risks for the animals, however, the veterinarian determined it is safe for Blossom and Delilah to make the 1,350-mile trek to California next week. A customized trailer with special equipment such as air conditioners and transfer cages to keep the bears safe and healthy will be used.

First, Brink must rent special equipment to provide access to the bear’s current home as an excess of growth has covered the road, making it impossible for the truck and trailer to reach the bears. A rented loader will be used to hoist the bear’s cage over much of the growth to the awaiting trailer.
Brinks is asking for donations to support the transportation and housing of the two bears through the “Bears Best Friend Forever” (BBFF) campaign. These funds will help complete the construction of the new bear habitat and cover transportation of the bears.