UPDATE, Jan. 18, 2:20 p.m.: Booboo the bear has been found. On Friday afternoon, "A Grizzly Experience," the business run by Booboo's owners, posted this message on their Facebook page: "Booboo is home safe and sound!"
Original story continues here:
According to ABC News, the 125-pound cub escaped on Tuesday afternoon from his home in Naples, Fla. As authorities continue to scour the area for the bear, residents have been "urged to use caution" until the animal is found.
“It’s a large animal so, yes, they should exercise caution,” said Carli Segelson, a Fish and Wildlife Commission spokeswoman, according to the News-Press of southwest Florida. “Don’t approach the bear. It was somebody’s pet, so that can go either way. A pet is used to people, but it’s probably scared. It’s away from its sibling."
Together with his brother Yogi and an adult bear named Tonk, Booboo lives on the property of Dexter and Megan Osborn -- a couple who operate a licensed business called "A Grizzly Experience," described on its website as an "entertaining and educational show and exhibit" featuring "real" grizzly bears. The bears, who have been trained to become animal actors, are said to live in a "2-acre habitat where they can roam, swim and play all day."
"Please call…with any sightings of Booboo," said a recent post on the business' Facebook page.
According central Florida's WFTV.com, investigators say that they still don't know how Booboo escaped. They've asked that residents remain vigilant as the search for the cub continues and to inform the Fish and Wildlife Commission or local law enforcement if the animal is spotted.
According to National Geographic, grizzly bears are "powerful, top-of-the-food-chain predators." Though they usually subsist on "nuts, berries, fruit, leaves and roots," they are also known to eat other animals -- even large ones, like moose. Grizzlies are not typically known to attack humans; however, they will get aggressive if they are "surprised" or feel threatened. They are also known to run at speeds of 30 mph or more.
Though they once lived in abundance in much of western North America, grizzly bears are now a threatened species. Due to hunting, habitat destruction and other damaging human activities, there are only about 1,000 grizzlies that remain in the continental U.S. today, according to National Geographic.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.