With a proper diet and a lot of attention and love, Scooter was consistently gaining weight. You could see the transition he made from when he fist arrived in just a few weeks of being in the care of IEAS. Scooter went from a bear who was close to death, craving the affection from his mother, to a happy, healthy and energetic baby bear. He enjoyed playing in the tree branches and logs provided him, especially when he had his caregivers to watch him. Just like any child, he enjoyed showing off for his adopted parents. He even loved playing with his toys. Scooter became very bonded with his caregivers and loved every visit he had from them.

By the end of June, Scooter was big enough to make his first venture outside. He was in heaven! He played in all the bushes and even started digging at the bark and dirt looking for grubs to eat! This was about the time Scooter really became confident in his abilities. With some reassurance from his caregivers, who ultimately became his surrogate mother, he would climb on the highest perch and watch his surroundings. However, his first trip on the perch was like a short cliffhanger story. He made it up there with no problem, but then came the getting down part. That took some time to figure out. he did eventually figure it out, but not without a few mishaps of clinging to the perch and pulling himself back up.
 

By July, no one could ever tell that Scooter was on death's door at just a few weeks old. He was now a 20-pound, rambunctious baby bear. By now, he was an expert climbing the branches and getting up and down perches. He also took his first dip in his pool. He was like a little kid playing in the rain! Scooter was really enjoying life. However, it was about this time we realized how much Scooter longed for a playmate. Though he had his caregivers to care for him and be his parent figures, that is what they were...his parents, he was still missing a sibling to wrestle with and ultimately learn natural bear behaviors from. He is by nature a very assertive and playful bear cub. He loves to play rough--rougher than was comfortable for his caregivers. He literally has no fear! Noises and objects that would instinctively make another bear cub nervous, hardly bothered Scooter. By August, luck happened. IEAS received word that another bear cub Scooter's age needed a new home. We not only wanted to rescue this bear cub in need of a home, but this provided us the chance to give both Scooter and Greta companionship.

Greta arrived the end of August. It took less than an hour for the two to hit it off. Scooter followed Greta around like a little schoolboy. He was smitten with her. Since first sight, they were inseparable. Scooter and Greta played non-stop almost every morning. Having Greta arrive also made it easier to wean Scooter from his bottle. He was at the age to do so, and now that he had a playmate, he wasn't so dependent on the bottle. They both took to solids very well and loved their grapes!

Scooter and Greta continued to grow strong and healthy over the next month and a half. Not to mention they continued to play and snuggle together at night, solidifying their bond. They were truly happy together, now having another bear to play with and just be a kid basically. They both still loved to visit with and play with their caregivers, but it wasn't as an emotion as Scooter had previously felt. Now it was more of a natural and casual greeting and interaction. Greta loves her human companions as well and is by nature more gentle and less assertive than Scooter

In mid-November, Scooter and Greta were ready to make the big move to their new home down in Bear Orphanage. There they would share a five-acre natural habitat with Scamp, a black bear who is just a year older than they are. Scamp is a very laid back bear, and we knew he would make a good companion for the two. We kept Greta and Scooter in a one of the holding areas allowing them to get acclimated to their surroundings and more importantly, letting them get used to Scamp and he to them. Scooter was excited to see his new home. He climbed his first real tree with ease like he had been doing it all his short little life. Then, when he first saw Scamp, who came over to the drop gate to check things out, he went right over. Scamp was a little nervous at first, but Scooter showed his confidence. Scooter and Scamp hit it off through the fence. A few days later, we let them out into the five-acre area. Scooter immediately started playing with Scamp. Scamp turned out to be a good big brother to Scooter and Greta.

It didn't take Scooter long to explore every inch of his new five-acre home. One of his favorite spots is in a big tree right outside the holding area. He often naps up there during the day. However, he is quick to come down for the "peanut party." Every afternoon, he, Greta and Scamp all come over to snack on some peanuts with Louis. It's like a social event, with all sitting in a circle and visiting while enjoying their peanut snacks. Not only do they get a snack, but they get some TLC from their "parents."

This January, Scooter was able to enjoy some branches form an old Christmas tree. To say he loved them is an understatement. On one side, he helped Scamp pull the branches into their den for a nice warm bed. On the other side, it was playtime! Scooter was wound up running and rolling all over the branches and pouncing on Scamp. Scamp, being the good big brother he is, just went with it. You can tell how happy Scooter is, especially during this event. He is now a year old and able to be as close to a wild bear as one can be in captivity. Scamp is one of our most affectionate and gentle bears, and he loves both Scooter and Greta. He seems to enjoy sleeping and cuddling with Greta, but Scooter is definitely a better playmate and plays very confidently despite Scamp's much larger size. Scooter does still find time to play with Greta as well, but she tires of the rough and tumble bear play, leaving Scooter to his big brother.

With the natural five-acre habitat that IEAS has provided Scooter, Greta and Scamp, they can live their lives virtually as wild bears without fear of any danger or worries about sufficient food. They have plenty of trees to climb, thickets to play in, meadows to romp and run and a pond for the hot summers. They have the best of all worlds...wild bears with protection and room service.