Thunder's Story

In 2009, an Oklahoma man contacted Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (TCWR), who needed to rehome nine tigers and two bears. The two bears, BamBam, a two-year-old grizzly bear, and Thunder, a one-year-old black bear, were housed inside a barn. When the team arrived, Thunder lived in a 10’x20’ cage, which was well-constructed and clean. However, Thunder would soon outgrow his living quarters and desperately need a new home that could provide adequate growth space. TCWR teamed with another sanctuary that provided lifetime Refuge for the nine tigers needing a home.

We released Thunder into his spacious, grassy habitat in the fall of 2010 with another black bear named Harley. Thunder arrived at TCWR in good health but displayed normal captive behavior, pacing back and forth with an occasional head sway. This behavior is a stress response in bears, which Thunder has outgrown with access daily to his natural habitat. Thunder loves all sorts of food and has a consistent diet of various produce and chicken; however, his favorites are grapes or avocados. In the summer, you can find Thunder lounging and splashing in his pool or observing his surroundings from his bench. He also enjoys getting baths from the Animal Care Staff as they hose down and clean his enclosure. Occasionally, Thunder collects the leaves, branches, and mulch his care team provides to build a nest inside his den, exercising his instincts.