If your bear buddy is having a challenging day, what does he need? A little extra love, of course! That's exactly what happened in this heartwarming moment when a man decided to comfort a 1,400-pound Kodiak bear by giving it a bear hug.
Meet Jim Kowalczik and his bear buddy, Kimbo, the Kodiak bear. Jim is a retired correction officer, and his wife Susan has dedicated decades to working closely with bears. They founded the Orphaned Wildlife Center in Otisville, N.Y., where they've fostered numerous bears and smaller ground animals.
Source: Orphaned Wildlife Center
Their 100-acre property is home to 11 bears, including black, brown, and Kodiak bears. Jimbo is the largest resident of all, weighs a whopping 1400 pounds, and stands at around 9 and a half feet tall.
Jim and Kimbo share a unique bond, and they have been together for so long. Jim started taking care of Kimbo when he was a little cub. The animal park Kimbo was born in was closed down, and given that Kimbo was born in captivity, returning to the wild was not an option for him.
Source: Orphaned Wildlife Center
Despite his imposing size, Jimbo is always known as a friendly giant because of his gentle personality. Jim and Susan love Jimbo and view this bear family as just that—family. “The bears are like our children," they expressed, emphasizing the mutual love and connection they share with these magnificent creatures.