Joaquin Phoenix wants to help Brother Bear’s bears

Actor and frequent animal rights activist, Joaquin Phoenix posted a lengthy letter this evening, lending his name and support to an effort to ensure that bears are currently kept at Florida Bearadisand ranch moved to “an accredited sanctuary” where they would not be required to perform or be available for hire. Phoenix, in fact, apparently has something of a personal connection to at least two of these bears; named Bruno and Bambi, the two animals were said to have been (according to Bearadise’s own social media) used as inspiration and models for the bears in the 2003 Disney animated feature film Brother Bear, in which the actor starred.

That’s all by Hollywood journalist, who notes that Phoenix is ​​lending its voice to the campaign after being told of the captivity of bears by PETA. Speaking to ranch owner Monica Welde, Phoenix writes:

I just learned that two of the bears used in your traveling show, Bambi and Bruno, served as models for Disney’s Brother Bear. I voiced the film’s main character, Kenai, who as a lesson in empathy is magically transformed so that he can see the world through the bears’ eyes, and now I ask you to see through their eyes too. These bears deserve better than a life on the road, where they are deprived of all that is natural and important to them, and if you put yourself in their shoes I’m sure you will see it, too.

You know firsthand that bears are curious and complex animals that enjoy climbing, digging, foraging, and playing. Their keen sense of smell and plate-sized paws have evolved so they can search for mates and food over vast distances, but these carefully honed traits are wasted on the county fair circuit. , where they are relegated to carrying cages when they are not. shooting hoops over their heads and carrying basketballs in front of crowds of strangers.

THR reportedly contacted Bearadise, who owns and cares for 13 bears, making them available for film shoots and festivals, and allowing interested consumers to organize events like weddings and birthdays at the ranch. The ranch website indicates that his “mission is to promote awareness of the preservation and conservation of the habitat of all bear species.