Explore: A Place to Feed Baby Bears in Michigan
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Sept. 16, 2017)
Newberry, MI – Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to many interesting tourist places, including Oswald’s Bear Ranch in Newberry where people can have their picture taken feeding a baby bear.
There are over 40 bears in the ranch, many of whom are rescues or were born there. It’s the largest bear preserve in Michigan and arguably the country. And it’s open to the public from Memorial Day through Sept. 30.
The Oswald Family has spent over 20 years giving day to day care to the creatures, who generally act like dogs that like to be around people. The ones bred at the facility are raised from birth to be around humans, and will even pose for pictures gobbling up spoonfuls of Fruit Loops or peanut butter and jelly.
The 200 acre ranch is friendly for both the animals and the people who come to visit. Walking paths go along various pens and there are viewing platforms where guests can toss apple slices to the bears as they beg like dogs below. There is art along the trails, a gift shop full of touristy things, and a fire pit to gather around.
At $20 per carload or $10 for the lone traveler, they are able to raise funds to care for their bear families. For an additional $10 folks can pose with a baby bear and have their picture taken.
Learn more about Oswald’s Bear Ranch at http://www.oswaldsbearranch.com/.
Check out some other adorable animal stories:
The Story of Reindeer Michiganders May Meet
Scent of Love Spices the Air: Romancing the Skunk
Hawk Freed from Ferndale Garage (video)
Bird of Prey Wow Youngsters at Southfield Library
Eileen the Opossum and other Friends Visit Ferndale Library
Ferndale Firefighters Revive Kitten Rescued from Fire