Casey Anderson has had a passion for wild animals since he was a boy growing up in Montana. He especially loves bears and over the years has worked on conserving the animals and help educate people about them. And he’s got a unique personal connection with bears through his friendship with Brutus, an 800-pound grizzly bear who he’s reared since the bear was a cub.
Casey found Brutus next to his dead mother in the Alaskan mountains. He rescued the cub and cared for him. When Brutus grew too big to stay in Casey’s home, he established the Montana Grizzly Encounter Rescue and Educational Sanctuary.
"This connection goes beyond just taking care of Brutus," Casey told Oprah back then. "They're very, very emotional animals... When he was a little baby, I was bottle-feeding him and I looked down in his eyes. He had a little tear in his eye. I just kind of chalked it up to [him] straining as he was sucking down the bottle. Several years later, Brutus got a bit of a bellyache. In his eyes, he had the same tear. At that moment, I realized that grizzly bears can feel the same emotions we do."
"I was having a hard time, was really upset about some things... I was crying," Casey said. "I could see that he wanted to take the pain away from me. He came up to me very gently and nudged me. He just stood by me unconditionally and he listened to me and he was there when I was crying. It's truly what I needed from him. This relationship is a give-and-take."
Casey found Brutus next to his dead mother in the Alaskan mountains. He rescued the cub and cared for him. When Brutus grew too big to stay in Casey’s home, he established the Montana Grizzly Encounter Rescue and Educational Sanctuary.
"This connection goes beyond just taking care of Brutus," Casey told Oprah back then. "They're very, very emotional animals... When he was a little baby, I was bottle-feeding him and I looked down in his eyes. He had a little tear in his eye. I just kind of chalked it up to [him] straining as he was sucking down the bottle. Several years later, Brutus got a bit of a bellyache. In his eyes, he had the same tear. At that moment, I realized that grizzly bears can feel the same emotions we do."
"I was having a hard time, was really upset about some things... I was crying," Casey said. "I could see that he wanted to take the pain away from me. He came up to me very gently and nudged me. He just stood by me unconditionally and he listened to me and he was there when I was crying. It's truly what I needed from him. This relationship is a give-and-take."
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Excellent story Casey. Many of the inner city slave grind would love to trade places with you I'm sure, including myself. I fish & try to get up into the Sierra when I can. I, too, love the animals, and can only wish there wee more like you in this world that care & want to protect them. This world is a scary place and I read daily about the mistreatment, abuse, and carelessness of people towards all animals, domestic & wild. The way man carries on with such a poor attitude the unfortunate end will be many species extinct. Sooo sad. Thanks for bringing us the positive side of the situation, and putting a smile on many faces. You & Brutus keep on keepin' on, and setting the right example for all to follow. To the future of all animals and their kingdoms. Thank you again. ---Dave (San Jose, CA)
God bless you. You are doing what I have dreamed all my life, it seems. I'm almost 72 years old and didn't get involved with pets until 1990, after my divorce. My pets, a Great Pyrenees called Gandalf, and my other tiny/small dogs, all 9 of them, and 3 foster dogs, and my two cats, are the sheer joy of my life.
Kisses for Casey.
Denna Neff
great story!
Lucky man to have such a good furry friend!
what an amazing story and wonderful to see Casey has a love for animals that are beyond our reach in our country here in australia .Thank you for having such a wonderful rappor with the bear and i am so happy he helps you too as his mate and pet so keep up the good work you are indeed a hero in my eyes Val Bounds Perth Western Australiaxx
I just want to hug you both !!!!!!
Wonderful story
Wow--Casey all over again--it is so great to see this story that I saw in amazement many years ago--and it still brings happiness to my heart. Casey even did some TV Time with his program and Nature! Wish I could show you some of my Pics I have of them all-(Friends etc.)-especially Casey and his Family around a Big Table set for a feast and who is standing next to him-yep-Brutus! Great to see you again and thanks to WhiteWolf for sharing! Google him?
Just amazing relationship with Brutus. Love this post.
Brutus is a magnificent grizzly. Casey I could just see you trying to accommodate him flying with you..just a bit of whimsy.