Video shows B.C. grizzly basking in clawfoot tub
A donated clawfoot bathtub has become the preferred lounging spot for a pair of B.C. grizzly bears, who have been taking turns relaxing and reclining in it – with minimal sibling squabbling – for the past year.
But after an appeal on social media by the BC Wildlife Park earlier this month, a second tub has been secured and they'll no longer have to share.
Dawson, a 500-pound female and Knute, a 700-pound male have been living at the Kamloops zoo since 2011 when they were orphaned and rescued by conservation officers after their mother was shot in the Yukon.
Tracy Reynolds, the park's animal care manager, explains that the tub isn’t exactly being used as originally intended.
- Photo gallery: Grizzlies kick back in donated bathtub
"We wanted to have a water feature for them, but there's not many things that would withstand a grizzly bear. So we thought, maybe a cast iron tub, something that they wouldn't break," she told CTV News.
"We got one and put a plug in it, which was screwed down with a metal plate. But they pulled that out within 24 hours. So, our plan to have a pool didn't work, but they love the tub."
Since posting to Facebook asking for help sourcing an additional tub, Reynolds says they have one that will be set up in the coming days and offers of several more, which they plan to test out on the zoo's three black bears, who were also recued as orphans.
"We'll see if they also enjoy lounging in tub much as our grizzly bears," she explained.
The park got a boost in online followers after an outlet in the UK featured a photo of the grizzlies in their bath, and Reynolds says she understands why these particular animals attracted new fans and are perennial crowd favourites.
"I have to say, our grizzly bears are funny. We try not to anthropomorphize them but I can't help it, because they are just always doing something that's so hilarious," she said.
Temperatures in the southern Interior have been sweltering lately but Reynolds says the animals are generally coping with the heat wave better than the humans who work to care for the creatures and maintain the park. Foxes and other animals that burrow will beat the heat by digging holes. Animals will also seek out indoor areas where they'll cool off on the concrete floors. Shady areas, misters and water features offer respite outdoors. Frozen treats are also provided.
"We gave a block of ice to the caribou the other day, and he loved it. He just sat there laying next to it, licking it," Reynolds said.
The BC Wildlife Park is home to nearly 200 animals of 65 different species and operates a rehabilitation centre for injured animals from the Interior.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7023078.1725359189!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
China hits Canada with anti-dumping probe on canola imports in response to EV tariffs
China said on Tuesday it plans to start an anti-dumping investigation into canola imports from Canada, after Ottawa moved to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, lifting prices of domestic rapeseed oil futures to a one-month peak.
'Like being in prison': Via Rail passenger says people stranded without food, water
A tourist visiting Canada is questioning the safety of Via Rail after he says his phone was snatched from him by an employee when he was documenting a train delay that left passengers stranded as they ran out of food, water and working toilets.
Just returned from the Olympics, a Ugandan athlete is set on fire by her boyfriend
A Ugandan athlete living in Kenya was set ablaze by her boyfriend and is currently receiving treatment for 75 per cent burns, police said.
B.C. woman who sought $5K from neighbour over noise ordered to pay $50 for nuisance
A British Columbia woman who unsuccessfully sued her downstairs neighbour last fall for making too much noise has now failed in a bid to sue her upstairs neighbour for being too loud.
Attempted jailbreak at a Congo prison kills 129 people as chaos erupts with a stampede and gunshots
An attempted jailbreak in Congo's main prison left 129 people dead, including some who were shot and others who died in a stampede at the overcrowded facility, authorities said Tuesday. Activists alleged the death toll was higher but did not provide a figure.
Hundreds of 'Game of Thrones' props are up for auction, from Jon Snow's sword to dragon skulls
After watching eight seasons of the epic saga 'Game of Thrones,' fans can now enter what may be a competition on par with the battle for the Iron Throne: an auction of prized memorabilia from the HBO series.
'I wouldn't be here': Ontario supervised consumption site users speak out on closures
Reggie Garrett weeps as he speaks about the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre, which houses the supervised consumption site he uses. It is one of 10 such sites slated for closure after the province announced new rules.
Astronaut reports strange sounds coming from troubled Starliner. Here's NASA's explanation
A mysterious, pulsating sound heard by one of two stuck-in-space astronauts coming from Boeing's troubled Starliner has been identified.
3 lost hikers rescued after night in North Vancouver backcountry
Search and rescue volunteers helped three hikers who were lost in North Vancouver’s backcountry Monday morning after an unexpected overnight stay in the mountains.