Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has bid farewell to Yonahlossee (Yonnie) the black bear.
Yonnie was humanely euthanized Wednesday, June 24, following advanced-age-related complications, including severe arthritis, that led to difficulty standing and walking. She was 27 years old.
“Yonnie will always be remembered for her enthusiasm and the love she showed her cubs,” said Christie Tipton, animal habitats curator for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Throughout her long life, she was always a spirited bear, and her impact will not be forgotten.”
Yonnie was born at a facility out west. On April 13, 1999, at approximately three months of age, Yonnie and her companion bear, Kodiak, flew to Charlotte, N.C., where they were met by their new keepers.
From the moment Yonnie was acquired, it was obvious that she would be high-maintenance and feisty. She attacked Kodiak constantly during the ride to their new home. She was named Yonahlossee after the Cherokee word, meaning “trail of the black bear.”
Even as an adult, Yonnie was still outspoken and full of attitude, though her attitude softened in her later days, making her calm and sweet. Keepers described her as sensitive and emotional with uniquely expressive eyes.
Yonnie was fond of expressing her lack of patience with her keepers by whining, especially when it came to food, as she was one of the most food-motivated bears at Grandfather. Her favorite treats satisfied her sweet tooth, including strawberry jelly, berries, peaches and more.
Despite her insistence regarding food, Yonnie was intelligent when it came to enrichments and training. She especially loved sensory enrichments like perfumes.
“Yonnie always kept the habitat keepers entertained,” Tipton said. “Even in old age, she was always engaged and excited to participate in trainings to receive the rewards.”
Throughout her life, Yonnie loved hanging out with Kodiak — whether they were exploring, sunbathing, tree-lounging or splashing around in the pond. As a younger bear, she was known to pick on the other bears and hide behind him for protection when they came after her. Grandfather Mountain bid farewell to Kodiak earlier this year. He was also 27 at the time of his passing.
In her early days at Grandfather Mountain, Yonnie gave birth to eight cubs. She was an excellent mother who loved her babies immensely and could be seen playing games with them regularly.
Yonnie’s cubs were the last of the breeding program started with Mildred who were released into the wild by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission in an effort to help boost the local bear population. This practice is no longer continued due to the bear population becoming stable.
In Memoriam
For those looking to honor Yonnie’s legacy, donations can be made in her memory to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Those gifts will aid in the care of its resident animals, all of whom were either orphaned or injured in the wild or born into captivity before arriving at Grandfather, thus unfit for release into the wild.
To contribute, visit www.grandfather.com/donate.
The animals also have an Amazon.com wish list, featuring food, toys and supplies. Donors can choose a gift for their favorite animal, purchase it online and have it delivered straight to Grandfather Mountain for immediate enjoyment by their furry or feathered friends. The list of suggested items is available at www.grandfather.com/animal-enrichment-wishlist.