I believe this Manfred was with Ursula with the Polar bears on Ringling and later was mauled and killed while back in EUROPE WORKING WITH ANOTHER GROUP OF BEARS, vERY SAD.
I visited with Ursala and Manfred on a show in Germany They showed me some very large Brown bears,Kodiaks I think, that they were training Manfred was killed during a practice session with these bears I got to visit Them a number of times while in Europe. Manfred was a very nice man and a friend Ursala is also a friend together they presented one of the most impressive acts I have ever seen
I was fasinated by Manfred , by his Manner & Precise-ness as an Animal Trainer . He maintained a Strong , Powerfull & Authoritative Composure at all times . I saw him as a no nonsence kinda guy with a Sincere Dedication , Knowledge , Experience , Precision & an Intence Focus . The Responsibility of Maintaining Harmony no Less Gracefull AWING Entertainment - day after day to the World with those " BEARS " & there INSTINCTIVE CUNNING MANNER , is for me , one to be Very Highly Respected . Like another Gentleman ( " WE all know " ), Manfred shuned the " Spotlight " alowing " the Lady " to Reap the Applause of " THERE " Dedication & Sensational Presentations . Again ; I realize Here & Now & I am Proud to say how Lucky I have been to have actualy worked with these two peticular men & the many other Super Tallented Performers & Staffmembers in this Unusual Lifestyle , Livelyhood & Realm - " the Circus ".
To Anon. looking for a photo of Bobby Gibb's bear act. I may have one buried deep in an unmarked box somewhere but I can tell what happened to the act. The act was trained by R.E.Leonard and consisted of two black bears and two dogs. In 1972 Bobby was looking for llamas and ready to get out of the bear business. I worked at a zoo that had an excess of male llamas and I thought I'd try my hand at bears (got to be easier than sea lions). In the fall of 1972 we made the swap. I had the bears for about six months -- much against my wife's wishes. I had one minor accident, that could have been worse, and agreed with my wife to get out of the bear business. The bears went to a major drive-thru zoo in Missouri.
Bubbles was the female in the act that did most of the tricks (see, not going to start that behavior stuff again). There was a young male, Buddy, who was easy to work with, just didn't do much including wear a muzzle.
8 comments:
I believe this Manfred was with Ursula with the Polar bears on Ringling and later was mauled and killed while back in EUROPE WORKING WITH ANOTHER GROUP OF BEARS, vERY SAD.
I visited with Ursala and Manfred on a show in Germany
They showed me some very large Brown bears,Kodiaks I think, that they were training
Manfred was killed during a practice session with these bears
I got to visit Them a number of times while in Europe. Manfred was a very nice man and a friend
Ursala is also a friend
together they presented one of the most impressive acts I have ever seen
It was my understanding that Manfred was going to remove that bear from the act but decided to try him one more time. Very sad indeed!
Look for photo of bobby gibb bear act.
anybody out there have some. please send them in.
I was fasinated by Manfred , by his Manner & Precise-ness as an Animal Trainer . He maintained a Strong , Powerfull & Authoritative Composure at all times . I saw him as a no nonsence kinda guy with a Sincere Dedication , Knowledge , Experience , Precision & an Intence Focus . The Responsibility of Maintaining Harmony no Less Gracefull AWING Entertainment - day after day to the World with those " BEARS " & there INSTINCTIVE CUNNING MANNER , is for me , one to be Very Highly Respected . Like another Gentleman ( " WE all know " ), Manfred shuned the " Spotlight " alowing " the Lady " to Reap the Applause of " THERE " Dedication & Sensational Presentations . Again ; I realize Here & Now & I am Proud to say how Lucky I have been to have actualy worked with these two peticular men & the many other Super Tallented Performers & Staffmembers in this Unusual Lifestyle , Livelyhood & Realm - " the Circus ".
To Anon. looking for a photo of Bobby Gibb's bear act. I may have one buried deep in an unmarked box somewhere but I can tell what happened to the act. The act was trained by R.E.Leonard and consisted of two black bears and two dogs. In 1972 Bobby was looking for llamas and ready to get out of the bear business. I worked at a zoo that had an excess of male llamas and I thought I'd try my hand at bears (got to be easier than sea lions). In the fall of 1972 we made the swap. I had the bears for about six months -- much against my wife's wishes. I had one minor accident, that could have been worse, and agreed with my wife to get out of the bear business. The bears went to a major drive-thru zoo in Missouri.
WAS THAT BUBBLE? I HAVE PHOTO OF HIM WORKING IN A BARN AND AT A SCHOOL. HIM AND MY DAD TOLD ABOUT THEM.
Bubbles was the female in the act that did most of the tricks (see, not going to start that behavior stuff again). There was a young male, Buddy, who was easy to work with, just didn't do much including wear a muzzle.
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