Man Forms Unlikely Bond With Orphaned Grizzly Bear Cubs

At 24 years old, a young naturalist had a wildlife encounter that would come to redefine the course of his entire life.

A decade ago, Casey Anderson was working at a wildlife park when a grizzly mother had a litter of five bear cubs. The cubs would later become orphaned and one of the bears, Brutus, Anderson would go on to carry an amazing 13-year bond of friendship that needs to be seen to be believed (video at bottom).

What resulted from Anderson’s encounter with Brutus was the Montana Grizzly Encounter sanctuary, where grizzly orphans rescued from dangerous captivity are given the opportunity to realize a life close to normal.

From GrizzlyEncounter.com:

“MGE provides a spacious and natural home for rescued grizzlies. At the same time it offers the public a place to come and learn about grizzly bears as they watch the majestic animals ‘up close’ in a beautiful mountain setting.”

As the website explains, these bears were not born in the wild, but in “unfortunate captive situations” where releasing them into the wilderness after rescue could result in their death, as the animals are unaccustomed to hunting and fending for their own.

Camera company GoPro caught up with Anderson to discuss his story and the incredible bond he shares with Brutus, Bella, and all the other grizzlies at MGE.

“Man and grizzly bear are really not supposed to be friends,” Anderson shared. “But for whatever reason, this relationship happened. It’s been the greatest gift of my life.”

Watch the videos. To learn more about MGE, visit their webpage here.