iN PHOTOS: Grizzly bears in bathtubs at Kamloops wildlife park

A couple of sibling grizzly bears called Knute and Dawson are a comical spectacle when they use the bathtubs in their enclosure at the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops.

Jamie Pearce with the park often helps out with their regular care and takes amusing photos of the pair.

“Visitors absolutely love the bears, especially when they’re in their tubs,” he said. “The bears tend to spend most of the time tubbing in the early mornings so some visitors miss that, but they get to enjoy them splashing about in their pool later in the day.”

The big bears are laid-back when lounging in the tubs side by side with relaxed expressions on their fuzzy faces and their great big paws dangling over the edges. 

“I’d say they really enjoy tubbing, they show no signs of stress that’s for sure,” Pearce said. “They’re an absolute delight to work with. I call them big furry clowns that could kill you.”

Knute and Dawson arrived at the park as cubs in 2011 from the Yukon after their mother was shot trying to protect them near a camp, and have been park ambassadors for their species since, according to the park’s website.

Pearce said the duo mostly gets along with each other.

“They do go through their natural behaviours, things can get heated when hunger levels increase,” he said. “We just make sure there are always two of everything so they’re not competing.”

Located at 9077 Dallas Drive in Kamloops, the BC Wildlife Park is a non-profit that has operated in Kamloops since 1965, and is home to roughly 200 animals and 65 different native species, most of which were rescued. Located in the park is the Fawcett Family Wildlife Health Centre which is the only full service wildlife rehabilitation centre in the Southern Interior.

The park is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission costs can be found here.