Flamingo Gardens to Welcome Two Orphaned American Black Bear Cubs
Flamingo Gardens is thrilled to announce the upcoming arrival of two orphaned American black bear cubs, Bentley and Treena, donated by the Chestatee Wildlife Preserve, who will soon call Flamingo Gardens their forever home.
The young bears, now approximately 14 months old, were rescued in Georgia following a heartbreaking incident last year in the Bent Tree community, where their mother was tragically killed. After a dedicated community search effort, the cubs, later named Bentley and Treena in honor of the community that rescued them, were safely recovered and brought into care at Chestatee Wildlife Preserve.
Since being rescued and bottle-fed by wildlife caregivers, Bentley and Treena have become dependent on human care and cannot be released back into the wild. Flamingo Gardens is honored to provide them with a safe, enriching, and permanent habitat where they can thrive while helping inspire compassion and conservation awareness among guests of all ages.
“These bears have already touched the hearts of so many people,” said Keith Clark, CEO of Flamingo Gardens. “Their journey is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and we are incredibly proud to provide them with a loving forever home while helping educate our community about wildlife conservation and coexistence.”
“Bentley and Treena will serve as important ambassadors for their species, helping visitors learn about the challenges facing wildlife and the importance of protecting native habitats and respecting wild animals in their natural environments,” said Michael Ruggieri, Senior Director of Wildlife at Flamingo Gardens.
Flamingo Gardens plans to introduce the bears to the public following their arrival and acclimation period, with special opportunities for guests, members, and supporters to welcome the cubs to South Florida.
The cubs’ rescue story drew widespread community support and regional attention in Georgia, highlighting both the emotional connection people have with wildlife and the importance of responsible human-wildlife interaction.
Your Gift Helps Provide the “Bear” Necessities
Please consider making a gift today to help these incredible animals continue to thrive at Flamingo Gardens. Your support provides the “Bear” necessities — nutritious food, enrichment, expert veterinary care, and safe lifelong habitats for our rescued bears. Every donation directly supports their health, comfort, and well-being.
