Mark Dumas, commonly known as Grizzly Man, takes pet breeding to a whole new level.
Just when you think you’ve seen all the different, caring and even strange things people do for their pets, a man decides to swim with the world’s largest terrestrial predator, just as he would with his dog.
Polar bears are beautiful and emblematic creatures. They are known as the world’s most beloved animals and many people work hard to ensure they can live and thrive in the wild. But they are also powerful and dangerous monsters at sea. Polar bears are remarkable when it comes to water activities.
According to the World Wild Animals Structure, they can swim for days at a speed of about 6 miles per hour despite their enormous weight. In fact, polar bears regularly move from one side of the frozen land to the other in search of food, a journey that can take several hours. They have large paws with sharp claws that help them swim and cling to the ice as they rise to the surface. Polar bears are characterised by the fact that they can only swim with their front paws. The rudder is controlled by the hind legs.
Another interesting truth about polar bears is that they are not white at all. They have light hair that reflects the light and makes them look snow-white. Since their skin is basically as black as coal, this helps them blend in with their surroundings. Aren’t they amazing animals? Imagine sharing all these wonders with your polar bear companion! It seems a bit much for most of us. Mark, on the other hand, compares it to cuddling, swimming and petting with his beloved pet.
Mark is not only the only man in the world to have swum with a polar bear, but also the only 60-year-old man in the world to have swum with a polar bear. And that’s why the polar bear is his lifelong friend. According to the film’s description, Agee, enjoys his routine dives in Mark’s pool. He is 16 years old and weighs over 800 kilos. Agee is kissed, hugged and caressed by Mark. He also hides his head in his big paws. Mark is from Abbotsford, BC, and has been working with animals for over 40 years. He is mainly active as a polar bear trainer. Mark and his wife Dawn trained Agee to act in movies and commercials.
Agee made his film debut in the 1996 movie “Alaska” when he was only a few weeks old. Agee was with Mark and Dawn from the time he was six weeks old. They bottle-fed her and let her walk around with the other animals in the family. “Agee has spent her whole life with me,” Mark told LADBible. “She’s never very far away. I will stay with her until either she or I die. That’s just the way it is.”
Mark, for his part, is determined that anyone else who tries to interact with Agee, let alone swim with her, will most likely end up with dinner. Mark says he can examine Agee and decide how to handle her safely. He realizes she’s in charge, and he follows her directions. Although Agee’s list of visitors is limited to Mark and Dawn, it’s good to know she has a safe place to call home. Despite the efforts of many organizations and individuals, wild polar bears are not so privileged. Their natural habitat is still very stressed and getting smaller.
Watch Mike and Agee’s impressive story on the video below!