Flamingo Gardens to welcome two orphaned black bear cubs

By AI, Created 4:36 PM UTC, May 28, 2026, /AGP/ – Flamingo Gardens in Davie, Florida, will soon receive two orphaned American black bear cubs, Bentley and Treena, after rescue and care in Georgia. The bears will become permanent residents and public ambassadors for wildlife conservation starting June 6.

Why it matters: - Bentley and Treena cannot return to the wild, so Flamingo Gardens is giving the cubs a permanent home. - The bears are expected to help visitors learn about wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and coexistence with wild animals. - Flamingo Gardens plans to use the cubs as ambassadors for their species and as an education tool for guests, members, and supporters.

What happened: - Flamingo Gardens announced the upcoming arrival of two orphaned American black bear cubs named Bentley and Treena. - Chestatee Wildlife Preserve in Dahlonega, Georgia, donated the cubs to Flamingo Gardens. - The public can begin visiting the bears on Saturday, June 6, after the cubs arrive and complete an acclimation period. - Flamingo Gardens is in Davie, Florida.

The details: - The cubs are approximately 14 months old. - The bears were rescued in Georgia after their mother was killed in the Bent Tree community last year. - A community search effort helped recover the cubs, which were later named Bentley and Treena in honor of the Bent Tree community. - Wildlife caregivers bottle-fed the cubs, and the bears became dependent on human care. - Flamingo Gardens says the cubs will live in a safe, enriching, permanent habitat. - Keith Clark, CEO of Flamingo Gardens, said the bears have already touched many hearts and that the organization is proud to provide a loving forever home. - Michael Ruggieri, senior director of wildlife at Flamingo Gardens, said Bentley and Treena will serve as important ambassadors for their species. - Flamingo Gardens says the bears will help visitors learn about the challenges facing wildlife and the need to protect native habitats and respect wild animals in natural environments. - The cubs’ rescue drew community support and regional attention in Georgia. - Flamingo Gardens says the story highlights the emotional connection people have with wildlife and the need for responsible human-wildlife interaction. - More information is available on Flamingo Gardens’ website.

Between the lines: - Flamingo Gardens is leaning on a rescue story to reinforce its conservation message and deepen guest engagement. - The addition also fills a gap in the bear exhibit after Josh, the last bear at Flamingo Gardens, died in January 2026 at age 27 after 13 years at the park. - The new 10,000-square-foot habitat is 25 times larger than the 400-square-foot state minimum cited in the release. - The bears are about 3 feet tall and weigh roughly 100 pounds. - Flamingo Gardens says captive black bears can live 24 to 26 years.

What’s next: - Flamingo Gardens will introduce the bears to the public after their arrival and acclimation period. - The organization expects special opportunities for guests, members, and supporters to welcome the cubs to South Florida. - The bears will likely become long-term fixtures at the 60-acre attraction, which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 1927, according to the release.

The bottom line: - Bentley and Treena are coming to South Florida as permanent residents, and Flamingo Gardens is using their rescue story to turn two orphaned cubs into conservation ambassadors.