Kootenay was acquired July 1, 2002 .  Kooteney was living with a family in Kooteney B.C. The family thought he was orphaned so they hand raised him. After attempts to rehabilitate Kooteney back to the wild he was deemed un-releasable, being imprinted by people. Having this friendly bear in the wild is a risk to both Kooteney and people. Kooteney will stay here at The Muskoka Wildlife Centre for the rest of his days helping us educate the public about black bears.

Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

Dining and Dwelling

Their Diet is mainly vegetarian, feeding on buds, berries, switching to roots and nuts in the fall. In fact 3/4 of their diet is vegetative.  The other 1/4 is made up of carrion, grubs, worms.  The black bear also hunts mice small birds and fish.

Life and Death

In January the mother bear gives birth to 1-5 cubs during the dormant state, but the average number of cubs is 2.  The cubs will spend the next two years with her. The Black bear have few natural enemies besides humans.  An old or injured bear might be attacked by wolves.

That's Amazing

• More than 90% of black bear deaths over the age of 18 months are from gunshots, trapping, motor vehicle accidents, or other human involvement.  This is why they usually only live to be about 10 years of age when they have the potential to live up to 30 years in the wild.