Bear hugs for wildlife rehabilitators

(14 Oct 2016) LEAD IN:
An American wildlife rehabilitator is grabbing attention for his hands on approach to helping injured and unwanted animals.
Jim Kowalczik is a fan of bear hugs, especially with Jimbo who he's looked after since a cub at his upstate New York haven.

STORY-LINE:
Jim Kowalczik knows how to give a good bear hug.
He's had practice - horsing around with his 1,500 pound buddy, a Kodiak bear named Jimbo.
Jimbo is among 11 bears living at the couple's Orphaned Wildlife Center in upstate New York.
"They're content. They're happy. If they weren't, you would know it. And I wouldn't be doing this," says Kowalczik
Jim and Susan Kowalczik's not-for-profit center takes in injured and unwanted animals.
The main goal is to release animals they care for. But they say they can't with the bears either because of injuries or because they were already used to living in captivity.
While there are plenty of wildlife rehabilitators and other centers that care for bears, none do it quite like Kowalczik.
His hands-on approach has garnered international attention
The 60-year-old retired corrections officer says its not for show. He's just bullish on bears.
"There's no false pretences like there are with people and stuff. What you see is what you get," he says.
Experts warn not to try this with any bear. One wildlife rehabilitator says she worries people seeing the videos will think they can play with or feed wild bears.
"The message it sends concerns me _ that everything can be a pet, everything can be habituated. Even a 1,500-pound bear can be your friend," says wildlife rehabilitator Missy Runyan.
Kowalczik says the biggest problem with Jimbo, who he's had for 23 years, is making sure he doesn't lay on him
Where some see danger he prefers to grin and bear it.
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