PORTLAND A black bear at the Oregon Zoo is this year s Father of the Year with a twist.
Cubby is an adoptive parent who took over the care of the cub named Takoda, who is not a blood-relative.
The zoo is having a special public event to honor Cubby this Sunday, June 19, at 10:45 a.m., when he and Takoda will receive a special enrichment treat.
Cubby immediately took Takoda under his wing, said Grimley. He generously shared his own food with Takoda, and he played with Takoda whenever the cub wanted to wrestle. When Takoda went out to explore his new home, Cubby followed right along or would lead him in the right direction, said black bear zoo keeper Virginia Grimley.
Takoda was born in the wild in Montana and then found orphaned by a rancher. He was first placed in a Montana wildlife center, where he was deemed him a hazard to humans if released, so the Oregon Zoo offered him a permanent home.
Background:New bears at Oregon Zoo
As the new member in the zoo s black bear family, Takoda needed someone to show him the ropes, Grimley said. Tuff and Dale, our other adult bears, felt a little threatened by Takoda at first, but Cubby helped them all get along. If Takoda tried to play too roughly with the other bears, Cubby would get Takoda to calm down, and if Tuff or Dale became upset with Takoda, Cubby made sure they didn t get too close to his adopted son.
Now Takoda gets along well with the other bears and has settled into his new home, but his bond with Cubby remains strong.
Whatever adventures Takoda has during the day, at the end of it he s always got a great place to sleep right beside his dad, Grimley said.
That s why the Oregon Zoo felt Cubby was a perfect choice for this year s Father of the Year.
