ANOTHER BEAR STORY

Don’t Forget to Fill Out Your March Napness Bracket

The competition looks brutal this year

You may have heard of a little college basketball tournament in which some teams play each other until one calls itself the winner. About 70 million brackets are filled out each year.

Biggest tournament sleepers

No, not those. These competitors weigh in between 300 and 1200 pounds. Some have competed before, and some are new on the scene.

You may have missed the opportunity to celebrate International Polar Bear Day earlier this week, on February 27th. It’s a day devoted to a healthier earth to sustain the fragile ecosystem necessary for the survival of these marvelous creatures.

We can all do our part to combat climate change. The earlier in the year the sea ice melts, and the later sea ice refreezes, the shorter the hunting season is for polar bears, resulting in lighter, weaker, less healthy bears. These cuddly-looking giants deserve our attention, as does our planet and all of us.

But don’t despair. If you missed out on Polar Bear Day, there’s still time to engage in some fun and games.

Back in warmer parts of the world, beautiful brown bears are being rescued from a variety of interesting places. Some are rescued from hunting stations, others from rundown zoos, as performers in circuses, discovered in restaurants and animal parks. Now safely in sanctuaries, they’re snoozing away for their annual, much-needed hibernation.

You can learn all about these adorable competitors here. You’ll find their photos, stats, and printable brackets. Vote for who of the 23 bears you think will win “Sleepiest Bear” for 2024.

Weekly updates are posted on social media, and you can have fun with family and friends. Gather around with your chips and dip, nachos, wings and something sweet, too. There’s some tough competition, but think of the memories you’ll make.

If you’d like a bear to join in your celebration, consider this story: