Circus bear heads for Canadian retirement

The last circus bear left in Britain was flying out to a new home in Canada today.

Fred, a 10-year-old American Black bear, will live in a sanctuary where he will mix with other bears for the first time in his life, and will have his own swimming pool.

He was handed over to the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) yesterday by his owner Jeffrey Mackie.

Mr Mackie, the former proprietor of Circus King. Near Grantham, Lincolnshire, has kept Fred as a pet since the bear retired from circus ring work three years ago.

He contacted WSPA asking if they could find a good home for the bear, who has lived in the UK since his birth and could live for another 10-20 years.

WSPA wildlife director Victor Watkins said he had no doubt that Fred, who until now has lived in a fairly small enclosure, would be happy in his new home.

“He seems to have been well-cared for but it was no place for a bear to be living,” Mr Watkins said.

“Fred’s got a great character. Some bears can be a little aggressive but Fred just seems like a soppy big old teddy bear really.”

Fred will make his new home at Bear With Us Inc in Ontario after being transported from Heathrow.