Meet Lucky – Born 2007

Lucky was born in the wild in Wisconsin, and had a rough start in life. We believe he was taken from his mother’s den and bonded with them, they soon found that he was becoming too much of a handful to keep.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officials said he could not be released back into the wild. They asked if the NABC could take him, and he arrived on July 6, 2007.

Lucky’s playful antics have earned him the title of “comedian” at the Bear Center. He has matured into a curious, playful, gorgeous bear for visitors to delight in and watch at the Bear Center. Lucky likes to climb trees in the enclosure, much to the delight of visitors at the center.

As Lucky matured he was testing his boundaries with Ted. Because the competition between Ted and Lucky was increasing, and Ted was becoming increasingly uncomfortable and fearful of Lucky, it was decided to castrate Lucky in April 2013.

Lucky’s sweet and comedic personality has endeared him to educators and visitors around the world. He continues to surprise us as to what he plays with and how he can entertain himself with a bucket or tree branch and a variety of items supplied to the bears as part of their daily enrichment program.

Lucky with an old cardboard carpet tube -April 2012

Lucky as a cub playing with an enrichment toy - Aug 2007

Lucky resting on a log - May 2017

Lucky watching - May 2017

Lucky in early spring - 2014

Lucky taking his watermelon to go - Sept. 2013

Lucky blowing bubbles in the pond - Aug. 2014

Lucky standing by tree - May 2018

Lucky by waterfalls -July 2014

Lucky as a cub by a hollow log - July 2007

Lucky as a cub by a tree - July 2007

Lucky cub by waterfall - July 2007

Lucky as a cub chewing foot-May 2008

Lucky as a cub in cedar chips -July 2007

Lucky as a cub on waterfall -July 2007

Lucky as a cub taking a bath - July 2007

Lucky cub playing with a branch -May 2009

Lucky as a cub with flower - Aug. 2007

Lucky high in a tree - April 2015

Lucky in the large bunker den - May 2018

Lucky in a field of black-eyed Susans - Aug. 2014

Lucky as a cub in the snow eating a dog biscuit - Nov. 2007

Lucky in tree - March 2015

Lucky leaning on tree - May 2017

Lucky leaving the rock den - March 2009

Lucky on fallen birch -June 2014

Lucky on log - May 2017

Lucky on rock - Aug. 2014

Lucky on the rock den - Sept. 2013

Lucky playing with his bowl - April 2015

Lucky rolling around-May 2018

Lucky rolling in cedar chips, the oils from the cedar chips act as a bug repellent -June 2012

Lucky rolling on back - May 2017

Lucky running in snow - April 2013

Lucky shaking off water after a swim in the pond - April 2013

Lucky shaking off water - May 2018

Lucky sitting and eating- Aug. 2014

Lucking standing to get a better look - May 2015

Lucky takes a bath - May 8, 2013

Lucky walking - May 2017

Lucky with fall colors - Sept. 2014

Lucky with ball - June 2010