Dear Friends,
It has been a difficult past few days, and I am so heartbroken to be writing to you with this sad news - our beloved grizzly bear Albert passed away yesterday.
Albert was anesthetized for evaluation of a rapidly progressing upper airway disease yesterday, in coordination with a team of talented veterinarians (Dr. Ryan Sadler, DVM; Dr. Christi Garfinkel, DVM; Dr. Aaron Harlan, DVM and Annabelle Weller Poley) to get a detailed look at his airway passages. Unfortunately, we found extensive infiltration throughout his nasal passages and sinuses, most consistent with certain types of destructive cancers. Due to the extent and severity of his disease, complications during his anesthesia, and poor prognosis, we said goodbye to Albert during his procedure. While samples were taken to help us understand the disease, we are glad to know that Albert is able to rest easily and free of pain.
This loss just breaks my heart and it never seems to get any easier.
I remember the warm May day when we first brought Albert to our sanctuary back in 2014. We pulled up to the ranch in our rescue hauler, after the 5,000+ mile cross-country journey to North Carolina and back - where we rescued Albert, his sister Cherry Bomb, and Himalayan black bears, Teddy and Baloo - and we were all so excited to finally roll Albert and the other bears out of the hauler and onto the grounds of their new forever home.
But when it came time to coax Albert out of his transfer cage into his quarantine area, it took several hours! He just sat there at the edge of his open transfer cage, looking out, not budging. He was so unsure. If he had only known at the time that his days would soon be filled with so much joy, I am certain he would have made that leap without hesitation.
Eventually, Albert did make the leap, and it wasn't soon after that he began to steal the hearts of our keepers, volunteers and so many of our members, visitors and supporters like you. Although I could never admit to picking a favorite, Albert stole my heart too, and he will always be a special rescue because he was one of those unique cases that truly defied the odds.
That's because despite Albert's tragic beginning and his physical malformations from poor nutrition and confinement as a cub, he was a happy bear that took full advantage of all that our sanctuary had to offer - and needless to say - we were happy to provide!
Pool-time was Albert's FAVORITE time of day. Watching Albert splash in his pool was sure to bring a smile to your face. Soon after his keepers would clean Albert's pool, he and Cherry Bomb would be right back out there trying to "catch" the water as it would stream back in to re-fill. Albert would splish and splash to his heart's content. He also loved roaming his habitat, digging holes, grazing grass and living his best bear's life.
We will always cherish these fond memories of Albert and hope that looking back on these happy days brings needed comfort to all of those who loved him.
Albert's time has been cut short, but the moments he spent at Lions Tigers & Bears were filled with love, laughter, and happiness and for that, we are forever grateful.
Albert you will be missed by so many, our sweet boy. Rest easy, run free and keep on splashing.
With gratitude,
Bobbi Brink, Founder/Director
Lions Tigers & Bears
To learn more about Albert and his rescue story, http://bit.ly/AlbertsRescue
If you wish to make a donation in Albert's honor click here http://bit.ly/LTBDonation
