Orphaned black bear cub "Little Smokey" was the live representation of Smokey Bear from 1975 to his death in 1990. Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture
In 1962, Smokey was paired with a female bear, "Goldie Bear",18 months old, with the hope that perhaps Smokey's descendants would take over the Smokey Bear title. In 1971, when the pair still had not produced any young, the zoo added "Little Smokey", another orphaned bear cub from the Lincoln Forest, to their cage—announcing that the pair had "adopted" this cub.
On May 2, 1975, Smokey Bear officially "retired" from his role as living mascot, and the title, "Smokey Bear II", was bestowed upon Little Smokey in an official ceremony. He died August 11, 1990.
Little Smokey (a.k.a. Young Smokey, a.k.a. Smokey Jr.).
Upon his death Smokey's remains were transported to a U.S. Forest Service facility in Capitan, where he was buried. The facility is now a forest fire/Smokey interpretive center. In the garden adjacent to the interpretive center is the bear's grave. Thousands every year stop by to pay homage.
In 1962, Smokey was paired with a female bear, "Goldie Bear",18 months old, with the hope that perhaps Smokey's descendants would take over the Smokey Bear title. In 1971, when the pair still had not produced any young, the zoo added "Little Smokey", another orphaned bear cub from the Lincoln Forest, to their cage—announcing that the pair had "adopted" this cub.
On May 2, 1975, Smokey Bear officially "retired" from his role as living mascot, and the title, "Smokey Bear II", was bestowed upon Little Smokey in an official ceremony. He died August 11, 1990.
Little Smokey (a.k.a. Young Smokey, a.k.a. Smokey Jr.).
Upon his death Smokey's remains were transported to a U.S. Forest Service facility in Capitan, where he was buried. The facility is now a forest fire/Smokey interpretive center. In the garden adjacent to the interpretive center is the bear's grave. Thousands every year stop by to pay homage.
Orphaned black bear cub "Little Smokey" was the live representation of Smokey Bear from 1975 to his death in 1990. Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture
In 1962, Smokey was paired with a female bear, "Goldie Bear",18 months old, with the hope that perhaps Smokey's descendants would take over the Smokey Bear title. In 1971, when the pair still had not produced any young, the zoo added "Little Smokey", another orphaned bear cub from the Lincoln Forest, to their cage—announcing that the pair had "adopted" this cub.
On May 2, 1975, Smokey Bear officially "retired" from his role as living mascot, and the title, "Smokey Bear II", was bestowed upon Little Smokey in an official ceremony. He died August 11, 1990.
Little Smokey (a.k.a. Young Smokey, a.k.a. Smokey Jr.).
Upon his death Smokey's remains were transported to a U.S. Forest Service facility in Capitan, where he was buried. The facility is now a forest fire/Smokey interpretive center. In the garden adjacent to the interpretive center is the bear's grave. Thousands every year stop by to pay homage.
In 1962, Smokey was paired with a female bear, "Goldie Bear",18 months old, with the hope that perhaps Smokey's descendants would take over the Smokey Bear title. In 1971, when the pair still had not produced any young, the zoo added "Little Smokey", another orphaned bear cub from the Lincoln Forest, to their cage—announcing that the pair had "adopted" this cub.
On May 2, 1975, Smokey Bear officially "retired" from his role as living mascot, and the title, "Smokey Bear II", was bestowed upon Little Smokey in an official ceremony. He died August 11, 1990.
Little Smokey (a.k.a. Young Smokey, a.k.a. Smokey Jr.).
Upon his death Smokey's remains were transported to a U.S. Forest Service facility in Capitan, where he was buried. The facility is now a forest fire/Smokey interpretive center. In the garden adjacent to the interpretive center is the bear's grave. Thousands every year stop by to pay homage.
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