Tag Archives: Otis

Otis (the fuzzy one, anyway) is INNOCENT

You might have noticed a little radio silence these past couple weeks. I was on a little vacation from the inter webs, as I made my last visit to see our beloved DC panda family. For those of us who live far from DC, the fact that the DC pandas are moving to China is somewhat abstract. I rely on the photos and videos of those who live close by to keep up with all the goings on of Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and of course, Bikkie.

There have been pandas in DC all of my adult life. I feel lucky to have gotten to see them so many times, even if it is a mere blip of time to those who live within panda proximity. They will be missed mightily. Until we have pandas again, we will have to get by with other bears. I live just far enough away from the Pookies that I don’t get to visit them often, but hope to make another visit or two this fall.

I was inspired by recent news reports to write this ‘toon for Otis, Fat Bear Emeritus of Brooks Falls. No matter what the nooz reports say, Otis is innocent!

The destruction in Acapulco is tragic and terrible, but couldn’t they have found another ‘O’ name for the hurricane?

BTW, in the US, we go back to Daylight losing time, despite the efforts of those who have tried to put us on permanent Daylight Saving Time. Alas…maybe next year. As such, as it is the tradition here at The Panda Chronicles, I rerun my much loved ‘toon:

Fabulous Furry Friday KNOWS that this is one of your favorites!

Be the Bear!
Bob T go see the pandas before it’s too late Panda

As We Wrap Up Our Coverage of Fat Bear Week…

We call upon our cub reporters, our “Bears in the Know” Frank and Mikey…

Hey…Where is Frank?

By the way, I am re-running the annual Encore Presentation of The Wizard of Wu over at my Substack space! Check it out. The posts will continue through next week so don’t miss any! Installment 2 is here!

I also wrote an amusing little fantasy about the REAL story as regards why Commander was banished from the White House.

Till next time,
Be the Bear!
Bob T I could win the fat bear contest if I really wanted to Panda

Fat Bear Week is Over for Another Year

The fish breathe a sigh of relief, the bears loosen their belts, start looking for their jammies and teddy bears, and start to think about snuggling up as the days grow short and the air and snow blow through the cracks of their dens.

What do the bears think about all these people hanging on their every snack? About all these well heeled hikers and trekkers that make the difficult and expensive trip to see them in their fat, fuzzy glory?

I bet they think some of them look like pretty good eating, and maybe not as hard to catch as salmon.

Otis may not have won the competition this year, but he’ll always be Number One Bear in my book. Otis Abides.

I expect there will be a bit more commentary here on ZooNooz, from our favorite bears around the Hood, Frank and Mikey. Till then…

Be the Bear
Bob T time for a nap Panda

Josie Tells All!

Can she help it if Otis is such a cutie pie?

I’m afraid to tell you, that Otis did not win this year’s completion. I think there is one more day to go, but he has already been eliminated. I know, I know, all bears are worthy, but geez…you’d think there could be more people who recognize Otis’s contribution to the Fat Bear Festivities. Maybe a lifetime achievement award?

Oh well…

Be the Bear!
Bob T Otis was robbed! Panda

Disaster Was Narrowly Averted…

But we will not forget that the GQP was ready, willing and able to shut down the government, throw the economy into a tail spin as 100s of 1000s of people were put out of work, imperil national security and the TWO worst things of all: Shut down the zoo during the last month of panda proximity AND disable the Fat Bear Contest!!!!

THE TOURNAMENT OF BEARS MUST BE SAVED!!!!

Let’s face facts. In a few months the only panda cams we’ll have access to are the ones from China. We will not have pandas we can visit unless we can go to China or Europe, neither of which is an option for most of us. So, we must have other bears!

As an international celebrity, you should not be surprised that Otis (aka bear #480) had some thoughts about the possibility of the Fat Bear Festival being canceled.

There does seem to be a tradition here of bears addressing the halls of government! (Pinky: I was da first! don’t forget dat!)

Be the BEAR!!!
Bob T don’t make bears mad! Panda

The Return of the King

No, not that king. Or not that king either, and definitely not the person who thinks he’s a king. I am, of course, referring to Otis. King of the Katmai Park, a bear to be reckoned with in the pecking order of the gang at Brooks Falls. Otis is now believed to be 27, which is old for a bear in captivity, and very old for a bear in the wild.

I read this most lovely tribute on Fezbook here. If it doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, you may already be dead. (I tried to link to this post, but since I couldn’t make it work probably due to some fez book noises, I added a screenshot instead, with the author of the post included)

Of course, ZooNooZ had to send their ace correspondents up to Alaska to interview the bears gathering in the park!

Mikey, too, is devoted to Otis.

Mikey (to Otis): You can have all my fish, buddy!

Be the Bear
Bob T waiting for the next indictment Panda