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Oswald's Bear Ranch Welcomes Brand New Surprise

Written by Julie Freeman
 
Submitted by Julie Freeman
3/08/2000

Spring has sprung and so have three baby North American Black Bears, born sometime in January at Oswalds’ Little Bear Acres. Dean Oswald is as proud as a new father. The cubs are the first to be born on their ranch, it’s unusual for three cubs to be born at once, normally it’s two. But the Oswald’s were blessed with three boys, one is a cinnamon color like it’s father, another is cinnamon/black and the other is jet black like it’s mother. At birth cubs are right around 7 to 8 ounces, now at 5 weeks old, they weigh approximately three pounds each. The cub’s father is Koty a six-year-old bear and the mother is Cleo who is also six years old. The Oswald’s enjoy taking care of the cubs,  Jewel prepares the bottles, but said her husband is in charge of feeding them.

While strolling the grounds, Dean will point to each bear and list their different personalities, names and even their weight. Twenty-year-old Griz enjoys napping in the sun but doesn’t get around as well as he used to. Susie, a sweet little girl who weighs around 300 pounds, will come when she’s called, but only for an orange circus peanut.

The first bear that came to live at the Oswald’s ranch was named “Bear”, he arrived in 1984 at the age of 6 weeks. Bear as since moved onto another owner in another area.  Smurf, which was their second bear, sadly passed away of a brain tumor. The third is Tyson, who arrived in 1987, also at the age of 6 weeks, weighing only three pounds is today over 900 pounds. Tyson is possibly the largest black bear in captivity and is easily the largest eater of the bunch. Then ranging from 10 to 1 years of age is Irish, Boo-Boo, Maude, Kody, Cleo, Critter Bear, Babe, Lobo, Dobe, Page, Chloe, Dusty, Rosey and Zack. A 9-year-old male will be arriving soon to also make his home on the ranch.

These North American black bears are being raised at Oswald’s Bear Ranch, a bear friendly eighty-acre compound located eight miles north of Newberry. The bears roam freely within the well-maintained natural habitat. Sleeping areas, or “dens”, are provided for the animals, as well as plenty of climbable trees and a swimming pool. Visitors are able to walk around the entire perimeter of the habitat to view the bears in all areas.

With the new addition of the three cubs, the Oswald’s ranch has a population of 21 bears. There are two natural habitats, the original one is 1600 feet around and the second is

one-half mile around.

Dean Oswald has spent the past 16 years breeding and raising black bears. When asked about the bears, a smile comes to his face, “I plan on doing this as long as I can. I enjoy the special bond I have with the bears, because when they look at me I believe they know I’m their master and friend. I think we are doing something positive by allowing people to see the bears, as well as helping them to have a better understanding and appreciation of animals.”

Since people were stopping in periodically to see the bears the Oswald’s decided to open their home to the public for everyone to enjoy the peace and serenity of a safe environment, for the people and for the bears. So in July of 1997 the Oswald’s Bear Ranch opened. 

As of March fifth all the bears are up and about, after their long winter nap. Oswald’s Bear Ranch is open seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend through September, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $8.00 per carload. This is a walk about, not a drive through.  

For the past three-year all school children fifth grade and under, are encouraged to name the cubs in a contest. Dates for this contest have not been arranged as of yet.