Spring is here and with it brings sunshine and blue skies.
As the temperatures edged up to mild highs over the weekend, many across the region did not face disappoint, especially one large and fuzzy resident in Sprucedale.
Bennie, a North American black bear who has been calling a local centre home for nearly 11 years, spent his weekend admiring the sunshine and warm earth. “Bennie appreciates the disappearance of snow,” the rehab centre shared on social media, Sunday.
Bennie arrived at the Bear With Us Centre in August 2014 as a small injured cub. He had been struck by a vehicle, suffering significant brain trauma and losing his sight, according to the centre.
Members say Bennie was blind in his right eye and well near blind in his left. His eyesight was so poor that he would run into objects and trip all over the place. Though he has regained much of his vision over time, the injuries left lasting impacts, making it nearly impossible for him to survive on his own.
As many around the region got a taste of spring sunshine over the April 13 and 14 weekend, Bennie too emerged to feel the warmth and fresh grass beneath his chunky paws.
This year’s snowfall has been particularly intense shared members of the centre. With depths reaching well over the knee, and in many spots, even to the middle of the thigh.
The location of Bennie’s den couldn’t be more ideal for temperature highs like this, the centre shared. With the sun beaming directly into the entrance, the warmth stirs something deep within him.
Seeing this black bear’s face in the soft light is a solid reminder that spring is here. From a fragile cub with short odds to a strong bear soaking in the first days that feel like Spring, Bennies journey is blooming.
