Brutus the Bear - One Man's Best Friend

by Kristyn Pomranz (Subscribe to Kristyn Pomranz's posts): Apr 29th 2009 @ 4:45PM Filed Under: Exotic Pets, Pets News

Talk about bearing witness!

An 800 pound grizzly bear named Brutus served as best man in naturalist Casey Anderson's 2008 wedding to actress Missi Pyle. But this was not a stunt for pun's sake; Anderson calls Brutus his best friend, even telling Good Morning America, "He gives me unconditional love."

Expedition Grizzly, a new documentary airing on National Geographic on Sunday, May 3^rd at 9pm EST, captures Anderson living among the bears of Yellowstone National Park, charting their lives and man's impact on their environment.

Anderson first befriended the bear in 2002 when young Brutus' wildlife park became overpopulated. Before the cub had to face a lose-lose fate of captivity or death, Anderson adopted him and opened a sanctuary so Brutus could "act like a real bear."

Of course, "real bears" don't usually eat at kitchen tables and swim in lap pools. But according to Anderson, they do experience human-level emotions, sometimes even shedding tears. Anderson's relationship with his furry surrogate son spawned his mission to dispel false "man eater" stereotypes about Grizzlies.

Brutus the Bear: One Mans Best Friend

Best man Brutus gives the bride and groom good luck kisses.

Grizzly Creek Films

Brutus joins the Anderson family for Thanksgiving dinner.

Grizzly Creek Films

Casey hand feeds Brutus some berries.

Rick Smith, Grizzly Creek Films

Beneath those sharp teeth, Brutus is gentle as a teddy bear.

Rick Smith, Grizzly Creek Films

Casey enjoys a dip with his furry friend.

Grizzly Creek Films

Don't be intimidated by Brutus' stature; he's a gentle giant.

Rick Smith, Grizzly Creek Films

Q: Where does a Grizzly bear swim? A: Anywhere he wants!

Grizzly Creek Films

Bear hug!

Grizzly Creek Films

...and a bear kiss!

Rick Smith, Grizzly Creek Films

Casey Anderson totes a teenage Brutus.

Grizzly Creek Films

Source

Tags: bear, bears, expedition grizzly, ExpeditionGrizzly, grizzly bear, grizzlybear, national geographic, national geographic channel, NationalGeographic, NationalGeographicChannel

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 2)

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#1 bluezwmn 4-29-2009 @ 8:54PM

Is it my imagination, or has there been a plethora of bear stories in the news lately? As for having a grizzly as a "best man" and allowing it to kiss me...uh, no. I'm quite attached to my throat, thank you very much!

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#2 Betty 4-30-2009 @ 5:44AM

Very cute story.

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#3 Holly 4-30-2009 @ 9:56AM

Yep, only a matter of time before this guy gets eaten too. Remember the guy in Alaska on the Discovery Channel???

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#4 Mike 4-29-2009 @ 9:02PM

I think that is the coolest

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#5 Andrew 4-29-2009 @ 9:11PM

Of course there have been more bear stories they have just finished hibernating!

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#6 bobpell 4-29-2009 @ 9:12PM

Take Brutus on your honeymoon. The bear will end up killing one or both of them if they're not real careful. Idiot!!!!!

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#7 Dylan 4-29-2009 @ 9:32PM

I really gotta pee...

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#8 wednesday 4-29-2009 @ 9:36PM

LOL @ picture #2: the bear has its own wineglass!

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#9 Brenda 4-29-2009 @ 10:16PM

I think this is so neat i would love to be able to be with anomals,in fact i would rather be around animals rather then people!

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Vote upVote downReport #10 Jan Kacena 4-30-2009 @ 3:41PM

I love it! I wish I had the intestenial fortitude to do the same. I commend him for his love of animals...But I am so jealous because I would love to personally see and pet him. (The Bear)

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Vote upVote downReport #11 GentleBen 4-29-2009 @ 10:59PM

Who's going to argue with a 800 lb. bear? I shore ain't!!!

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Vote upVote downReport #12 tristanz0529 4-29-2009 @ 11:53PM

Aww sweet, that's too cute!! :D

Somehow, some idiot it going to turn this into a racial argument if the noobs on the AOL boards have their way or any say in this. -_-
*sadness*

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Vote upVote downReport #13 Mort selub 4-29-2009 @ 11:57PM

Some people never learn. They think that their 'pet' chimpanzees, tigers, lions and bears are tame and and can be domesticated. Such animals can be cute and friendly for years, but they only have to revert to their true natures lonce to do serious or even terminal damage. Even a toothless grizzly can kill.

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Vote upVote downReport #14 Malissa 4-30-2009 @ 9:36AM

I couldn't agree with you more. People are so nieve to think that they can be emotionally close to a wild animal. One day ( and it's gonna happen ) that bear will let him know who is boss.

Vote upVote downReport #15 WLH 4-30-2009 @ 3:00AM

All I have to say is Timothy Treadwell.

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Vote upVote downReport #16 V 4-30-2009 @ 3:22AM

That guy is awesome. And I think it's wonderful that he rescued Brutus and opened a bear sanctuary, and even more marvelous that they are best friends. Animals are so amazing...they do give such unconditional love and are so grateful for love and kindness in return. Anyone that is compassionate and kind to animals is good people in my book.

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Vote upVote downReport #17 ishyfihsy 4-30-2009 @ 3:57AM

Humans are the ones who are irrational and reckless and need "domestication". One mountain lion eats a person or one chimpanzee attacks a person...it is like OMG!
Humans partake in disgusting habits like killing animals just to showcase their heads or killing animals to sell their fur. Animals only attack if they are threatened or hungry or sick, and those are the only three reasons they would ever attack.
It is sad to see so many people looking down on animals.

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Vote upVote downReport #18 Gigi Messick 4-30-2009 @ 4:37AM

I am happy for all three, I think it is a cool story, Good look and God Bless,

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Vote upVote downReport #19 Tspoon 4-30-2009 @ 6:22AM

I can see the headlines now....Bear eats newlyweds

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Vote upVote downReport #20 Janice 4-30-2009 @ 6:32AM

This is a great story, but we must remember that the most friendly grizzly is a wild animal. It is a mistake to believe that the status quo will always continue. The chimpanzie was a "domesticated" companion to its owner and walked the streets -- until recently it ripped the face off of the owner's friend.