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Meet Maddie, Our Black Bear

Maddie's story begins with her being purchased as a cub, intended to be a family pet for a 3-year-old child in Ohio. However, as she grew to full size, the family made plans to sell her to a canned hunt game ranch for a mere sum of less than $200.

Fate took a twist when a neighbor, deeply enamored with Maddie, adopted her, saving her from the harsh reality of a life in a canned hunt. Despite this, Maddie endured a challenging existence, spending 11 to 12 years confined in a small 20'x20' corn crib cage and subsisting on a meager diet.

Change arrived when Ohio enacted the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, aimed at regulating the possession of exotic animals within the state. The stringent requirements and financial burdens of the law made it increasingly difficult for Maddie's owner to provide her with proper care. In response, the owner reached out to Lions Tigers & Bears.

Bobbi, a key figure who had played a pivotal role in the passage of this legislation, not only championed its implementation but also orchestrated the rescue of numerous animals from private ownership in Ohio. Among those fortunate beings was Maddie, who found a new home at LTB in 2013.

Today, Maddie thrives in a natural habitat, far removed from the confines of her previous life. She enjoys
a well-balanced bear diet and, most importantly, revels in the company of fellow bears at LTB in the Liberty Station habitat living a life filled with the warmth, care, and happiness she truly deserves.