“Jimmy the Bear — A Kind-Hearted Giant Who Loves Everyone”
At the Orphaned Wildlife Center in Middletown, New York, Marty and Debbie Kowalczik run a 100-acre sanctuary dedicated to animals that cannot survive in the wild. One of its most remarkable residents is Jimmy, a 21-year-old bear raised entirely in captivity and unable to be released.
Standing over nine feet tall and weighing more than 1,500 pounds, Jimmy is known not for his size but for his calm, gentle nature and deep trust in his caretakers. He lives alongside ten other bears in spacious enclosures, cared for through enrichment, routine, and a carefully managed diet.
The center is closed to the public and prioritizes animal welfare over display. For Jimmy, the sanctuary offers lifelong safety and dignity — a reflection of the Kowalcziks’ commitment to ethical wildlife care.