ShreyaDisney Stars
Since the time Welde family started keeping bears, many of them have appeared in various Walt Disney movies. So if you come across a bear in a Disney movie, remember that it is not special effects or a random shot of some wild bear, chances are it is one of the Grizzlies from the Bearadise Ranch. The bears have also been trained for various TV shows. Their learning and understanding have really make it easy for directors to shoot them but Monika or Jhonny are always present to command them.
Never Any Incident
“My bears have never attacked anybody, we never had any incident with the public or with ourselves,” said Monika Welde. It is amazing how the mother and the son got these wild beasts to love and respect all humans even though they are not comfortable with strangers. All their food, mate and love requirements are fulfilled in the Bearadise Ranch so they need not attack any human or other animals for that matter. But Monika herself, do have some scars.
Bears After All
In response to the question whether she herself has been attacked by any of her bears or not, Monika said, “I do have a few scars on me from their claws, that is natural, they are very powerful animals.” However, she went on to say, “They’ll lick us and kiss us and hug on us and touch us. I have worked with bears for 37 years and I have all my fingers so it’s a good track record.” Not taking the marks giving these animals as a sign of their savagery and being practical about it what has kept Monika keep going.
Bears Shouldn’t Be In Human Care?
When Monika was asked to comment on some people’s belief that bears should not be in human care, she replied, “I am sure there’s people out there, that say you shouldn’t have a bear in human care, they should be in the wild. What do I have to say to people like that? First of all the wild is disappearing, There are so many people on this planet, we are taking all the resources from the animals, all their habitat is shrinking.” All of what Monika is saying is true, however, she went on to make more valid points.
Better Off With Me
Monika continued, “6 out of 8 species of bears on the planet are threatened and endangered. Are my bears safer, here with me than in the wild? I would say so. I have spent thirty-seven years of my life with bears and as long as I am physically able to, I will work with the bears, till I grow very old. And I feel very confident that they will be taken care of after I am gone. We didn’t see it ending with my husband’s death, so we are going to continue the Welde family legacy and keep the Bearadise Ranch thriving.”
Goofing Around
The bears have ample natural space in the Bearadise Ranch, they also have accessibility to pool so they can be found rolling around in the grass after a dip in water or simply goofing with each other. However, seeing Jhonny and Monika every day and playing and spending time with them is the highlight of their day. The love, attention, and cuddle they get from these members of their family is irreplaceable. Some people might object to this domestication of wild animals but the truth is the Welde family doesn’t force it on them, the bears respond to their love.