Travellers' Choice™ Best of the Best

Meet Meatball, Our Black Bear 

Meet Meatball, a remarkable California black bear with an even more remarkable story. In August 2012, Meatball was captured by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife after his third strike of wandering into neighborhoods in northeast Los Angeles. He had become known as the "Glendale Bear" because of his frequent visits.

What made Meatball so unique was his inclination for getting up close and personal with humans. He had developed this habit because of the availability of trash and pet food left outside by residents. Moreover, he had a liking for taking a dip in backyard pools and, on one occasion, was even discovered enjoying a bag of meatballs in someone's garage. It was this savory incident that earned him his memorable name.
Despite being relocated twice, each time over 100 miles away, Meatball showed an unwavering determination to return to the same neighborhood he had come to love.

In most cases, bears displaying such behavior would have faced euthanasia. However, the community's embrace of Meatball, fueled by extensive media coverage, changed his fate. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reached out to Lions Tigers & Bears1"' (LTB) to provide Meatball with a new home.

Meatball's charisma and the love he garnered were so significant that he had his very own float in the 2014 Rose Parade. The float, aptly named "Let's Be Neighbors," even clinched the Governor's Award for the "Best Depiction of Life in California." Meatball's journey from being a neighborhood intruder to a celebrated bear is truly an inspiring tale of compassion and coexistence.

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Name
Meatball
BORN DATE
Est. 2006-2007
RESCUE DATE
8/29/2012
GENDER
Male
FAVORITE FOOD
Raw Nuts

In most cases, bears displaying such behavior would have faced euthanasia. However, the community's embrace of Meatball, fueled by extensive media coverage, changed his fate. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife reached out to Lions Tigers & Bears1"' (LTB) to provide Meatball with a new home.

Meatball's charisma and the love he garnered were so significant that he had his very own float in the 2014 Rose Parade. The float, aptly named "Let's Be Neighbors," even clinched the Governor's Award for the "Best Depiction of Life in California." Meatball's journey from being a neighborhood intruder to a celebrated bear is truly an inspiring tale of compassion and coexistence.

Watch Meatball's Incredible Story

Milestones

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First Capture & Relocation (July 2012) – After multiple sightings in Glendale, CA, Meatball was captured and relocated over 100 miles away. However, he found his way back, drawn by easily accessible human food sources.

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Final Capture & Rescue (August 29, 2012) – After his third strike wandering into neighborhoods, Meatball was captured by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Instead of being euthanized, public support led to his rescue by Lions Tigers & Bears.

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Settled into His Forever Home (Fall 2012) – Meatball adjusted to his new life at Lions Tigers & Bears, where he was given a spacious natural habitat, proper nutrition, and the care he needed to thrive.

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Honored in the 2014 Rose Parade (January 1, 2014) – Meatball's story captivated so many that he was featured in the "Let's Be Neighbors" float, which won the Governor’s Award for best depiction of life in California.

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Meet Baloo, Our Himalayan Black Bear Baloo was born at Tote-em-in Zoo in Wilmington, North Carolina, along with his brother Teddy. They were the offspring of Luna Bear, a Himalayan black bear who lived at Tote-em-in Zoo. A couple frequented the zoo to visit with Luna Bear and over time got to know the owners […]
Sugar Bear
Meet Sugar Bear, Our Black Bear Sugar Bear's story is one of resilience and compassion. Originally bred to be sold to a canned hunt ranch, or what is sometimes called a "game park," his fate took an unexpected turn. An unaccredited sanctuary owner, who was not affiliated with the canned-hunt ranch, discovered Sugar Bear and […]
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Remembering Maverick, Our Happy-Go-Lucky Boy On Monday, October 26, 2020,  a terrible accident occurred during daily care that allowed our tigers Maverick and Moka, who live separately, to come into contact with one another in the same habitat, and ultimately ended tragically in Maverick's death. Our veterinarian came immediately to assess both tigers, and Moka had […]
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FAQ's

What do bears eat?

Bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet varies by species and season but typically includes berries, nuts, roots, insects, fish, and small mammals. Some bears, like grizzlies, are skilled hunters, while others, like black bears, rely more on foraging.

Where do bears live?

Bears are found across North America, Europe, Asia, and even parts of South America. They inhabit a variety of ecosystems, including forests, mountains, tundras, and coastal regions. Each species has its own preferred habitat, such as polar bears in the Arctic and black bears in dense woodlands.

How long do bears live?

In the wild, bears typically live 15-25 years, depending on the species and environmental factors. In captivity, with proper care and veterinary attention, they can live over 30 years.

Are bears social animals?

No, most bears are solitary, except for mothers raising cubs. However, some species, like grizzlies, may gather in groups when food is abundant, such as during salmon runs. Bears communicate through body language, vocalizations, and scent markings.

How fast can bears run?

Despite their size, bears are surprisingly fast. Depending on the species, they can run between 30-40 mph (48-64 km/h) in short bursts. Black bears are particularly agile climbers, while grizzlies have immense power for chasing down prey or defending themselves.

Are bears endangered?

Some bear species are endangered due to habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change. For example, polar bears are at risk due to melting sea ice, while Asiatic black bears are hunted for the illegal wildlife trade. Other species, like American black bears, have stable populations but still face threats from human-wildlife conflict.

How many bears are in captivity?

Thousands of bears are held in captivity worldwide, often in roadside zoos, circuses, or private ownership. Many are used for entertainment, bred for the exotic pet trade, or kept in small enclosures with inadequate care. Sanctuaries like Lions Tigers & Bears rescue and rehabilitate bears from these situations, giving them a safe and natural environment to live out their lives.

Watch More Videos on s

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