When zookeepers at the Memphis Zoo added a wheelbarrow as an enrichment item for their black bear exhibit, they weren’t quite sure what the bears would make of it. But River—a 20-year-old, 519 pound resident—knew exactly what he wanted to do. Employing the “if I fits, I sits” motto, the chonky fella made himself a perfectly comfy lounger. He’s letting it all hang out, because nobody’s gonna tell this guy not to bearspread.
River sounds like quite a character. The Zoo’s Marketing & Communications Manager Amanda Moses says that he’s well-known for enjoying “the cozy things in life.” He also, apparently “absolutely lives for fall-inspired scents like pumpkin and cinnamon.” I can totally picture River hanging out in the local Starbears coffee chain shop, taking up the entire sofa, a mug full of seasonal beverage in one paw, and his portable phone in the other, reading the morning’s Tabs post from Wonkette.
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We Are Memphis: "Memphis Zoo Bear Goes Viral For His Creative Use Of A Wheelbarrow" 8/12/25
Give him a hard hat and put him to work…that loafer!
Martini, your tabs keep me sane.💜