Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Five grizzly bears were getting settled in their new home in Decatur County last week. “They’re not quite used to it yet,” explained their owner/handler Jeff Watson. The bears moved in August 2.

A professional bear handler for over 20 years, Watson made the decision to join forces with Jim and Theresa Stapp at their Circle S Ranch located just outside of Greensburg on Hwy. 46.

On Friday, August 8 Jim told the Osgood Journal that was their second day to be open to the public with a general admission charge.

The opening of the Greensburg Grizzly Adventure at the exotic animal park is something unique to the area, since neither surrounding zoo, Cincinnati or Indianapolis, offer grizzly bears, according to Watson.

The grizzly adventure portion is much more than viewing a bear on display. Watson declares the bear adventure is in no way compared to a circus act. “You get to know them, they’re like family,” he noted affectionately, speaking about his bear family, with Brody (the oldest at 13 1/2 years old) responding to him with a facial kiss. “They look cuddly, you still have to respect the fact they’re wild animals. I never forget that,” Watson told the Osgood Journal.

Brody’s massive size alone is enough to know he must be respected. “He weighs in around 1500 pounds,” noted Watson. “I’ve had him since he was eight weeks old and we know each other.”
Watson will be giving educational presentations interacting with the bears where visitors can watch from a 10’x100' platform above the enclosures where the bears are kept. Some of the sessions by the bear professional will teach people how they should behave while in bear country, such as a wildlife park or national forest. He will also be teaching the fact that a bear is not necessarily a vicious animal, but a (big) wild animal, that needs to be respected as such. “They’re not teddy bears,” laughed Watson.

However, teddy bears can be purchased in the gift shop on the ranch, along with a ticket for a ride on the wild side.

What started as a “few” animals for grandchildren to enjoy grew in number and now the Stapps offer Ring-tailed Lemur, Coatimundi, Cinnamon Capuchin Monkey, Bennett Wallaby, and Patagonian Cavy, just to name a few of the animals.

Children enjoy interacting with some ordinary farm animals just as Dexter the pig, sheep, goats, foul of all sorts and some not so ordinary animals such as Clyde the camel and his partner, Bonnie, of course.
On a ride powered by restored antique tractors, visitors can see a menagerie of animals from the comfort and safety of the tram. A Royal Mute Swan is often not welcoming when the entourage goes by the pond! You’ll see longhorn cattle grazing, llamas lazing and water buffalo and more as you enjoy 32-acres of the animal kingdom.

In operation since 2001, the Stapps have officially opened their hobby to the public as of last Thursday, August 7. “We wanted to bring the grizzly bears here and that costs,” noted Jim. He said they have offered tours for the past few years to school and church groups, but wanted to open their miniature zoo to everyone.

The grounds are meticulously kept with landscaping in progress in areas. “We still have a lot of work to do,” noted the businessman who also owns and operates Custom Conveyor, also located on the property.

While you may have already seen Brody, an Alaskian Kodiak or Grizzly bear, on the cover of National Geographic, or on Walker Texas Ranger series, or on the Tonight Show or Good Morning America, stop in and see this celebrity in person. It’s a grizzly experience!

You’ll see Brody, Bruno, Buck, Marty (the only female) and 7-month-old cub, Chuck, interact with their owner. Watson, who has been “on the road” doing a lot of educational shows nationwide including commercials, print advertisement, and movies, says it’s time to settle his little, well some not so little, bear family down. He’s excited about the possibilities at the Greensburg facility.

For now the bears have simple living quarters with a pool area. Next spring they will have a two-acre natural habitat with an island people can walk out to. That’s the plans, according to Jim Stapp.
Watson and Stapp became acquainted through a mutual federal animal inspector. The idea appealed to Stapp and the rest is history in the making as the bear hibernate in Decatur County.

For more information and admission pricing you can call the Stapp Circle S Ranch at 812-663-6709 or visit them online at: stappscirclesranch.com.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTOS Top: Bear trainer Jeff Watson gets kisses from his oldest Alaskian Kodiak or Grizzly bear, Brody. Photo 2: Megan Massie of Hope, works with the animals at the Circle S Ranch and was holding this Scarlet Macaw, who hasn't been named yet. Children visiting the ranch can give their input as to what they think the bird's name should be. Megan also works in the gift shop. Pictured below: Some children who visited the ranch last Friday, August 8. Carson Parmer, 4, was feeding the deer as she gently took the apple slice from his hand, while family and friends looked on. He is the son of Tad and Angie Parmer of Greensburg. Angie, who teaches school at Batesville High School was getting in a day with the children before school officially begins this week.