Wild Animals as Pets

I saw this on TV the other night.  I think it was “Dateline.”  This man has property in Alaska (about 40 acres I believe) and he calls it “Bear Haven.”  For 20 some years he goes there and spends the summer and has befriended many bears and feeds them regularly.  He walks among them, lies on the grass with them, and treats him like his friends.  Different bear experts came on saying  how unwise this was but he pays no attention.  There was a lot of film footage and the photographer got attacked once and bitten on the leg.  But this man seems to think  the bears are all his friends and he can mingle with them, black bears and grizzlies alike. 

I must say I wouldn’t try this for a million dollars, but I guess different strokes for different folks.  The state of Alaska (conservation board?) found out about him and closed him down.  It is illegal to feed bears in Alaska. 

I must say I feel sorry for those bears in a way.  They are used to going to a human for food and in Alaska  you can feed bears if you are hunting them.  I truly don’t think this man did the bears any favors.  I don’t think he realizes the harm he has done to the bear and human population.  Different scenarios play out in my mind of how this could be quite dangerous for both species.

Next, last night ( I believe) I saw a program on other wild animals as pets.  Cougars, tigers, and bears again.  There were several instances where the humans ended up being lunch.  Although these animals are quite beautiful, they are still wild, even if raised from an infant they revert back to their wild instincts.  I think it is best to leave these animals where they belong–in the wild.