Otisville Bear Celebrates 27th Birthday with National Attention

The Orphaned Wildlife Center in Otisville, NY threw a big party for one of their rescued bears, Leo, who turned 27 years old.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Orphaned Wildlife Center in Otisville, New York is home to 8 rescued bears, including Leo who recently celebrated his 27th birthday. The wildlife center shared the milestone on social media, which caught the attention of national news outlets like ABC News and Good Morning America. Both featured videos and photos of Leo and the other bears enjoying birthday treats and playing at the sanctuary.

Why it matters

The Orphaned Wildlife Center's mission is to provide lifetime sanctuary for rescued animals that cannot be returned to the wild. Celebrating the longevity of their bears, some of whom can live into their 30s in captivity, highlights the important work the center does in caring for these animals and educating the public.

The details

The Orphaned Wildlife Center shared on Facebook that in addition to Leo turning 27, they have several other bears celebrating birthdays - Randy, Rosie, and Kimmy are all 25 years old, while Amy, Jenny, and Sonya are 16, and Frank is 11. The center posted a video of Leo enjoying birthday treats like cake and other snacks. Both ABC News and Good Morning America picked up the story, featuring footage of the bears at the Otisville sanctuary.

  • On January 19th, Leo the bear celebrated his 27th birthday at the Orphaned Wildlife Center.
  • In late January 2026, the Orphaned Wildlife Center shared the bears' birthday celebrations on social media.

The players

The Orphaned Wildlife Center

A bear sanctuary located in Otisville, New York that provides lifetime care for rescued bears and other wildlife.

Leo

A 27-year-old bear living at the Orphaned Wildlife Center in Otisville.

Randy, Rosie, Kimmy

Three 25-year-old bears living at the Orphaned Wildlife Center.

Amy, Jenny, Sonya

Three 16-year-old bears living at the Orphaned Wildlife Center.

Frank

An 11-year-old bear living at the Orphaned Wildlife Center.

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The takeaway

The Orphaned Wildlife Center's celebration of their bears' birthdays showcases the important work they do in providing lifetime care and sanctuary for rescued animals that cannot be returned to the wild. Their mission to protect and nurture these animals, some of whom can live decades longer in captivity, highlights the value of organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.