Bear rescued from ice cream shop cage after 16 years

A female black bear named Ricky who has lived in a concrete cage at an ice cream shop for almost two decades will now be moved to a wildlife sanctuary.

Ricky will finally feel grass under her feet after a settlement in the national nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund's lawsuit led to her release to the Colorado-based Wild Animal Sanctuary.

The lawsuit was filed by the Philadelphia office of the law firm BakerHostetler in December 2014 on behalf of concerned Pennsylvania residents against Jim Mack's Ice Cream, where Ricky had lived for 16 years in a small, concrete cage, eating a mix of corn and dog food funnelled onto the floor of her enclosure.

Under the supervision of Dr. Mary Denver, DVM, former head veterinarian at the Maryland Zoo and former president of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, Ricky is now on her way to her new home at the sanctuary.

Pictures of Ricky's rescue were uploaded to Twitter:

Ricky's suffering in her tiny enclosure was confirmed by veterinary experts, who warned of a "slow and torturous decline in physical and mental health" if the bear remained in these conditions.

National attention was drawn to her plight, and tens of thousands signed petitions requesting her release, including comedian Ricky Gervais. Local residents had asked for Ricky's release for years.

Ricky's new habitat at the Wild Animal Sanctuary, located in Keenesburg, Colorado, features 15 acres of rolling grassland at the 720 acre sanctuary.

Bears require large, environmentally complex spaces in which to engage in their natural behaviours, such as bathing, exploring, foraging, and denning - and that's what Ricky's new life holds in store for her at the sanctuary.

Special care is given to new residents like Ricky, who will be slowly transitioned into her new life in a large acreage sanctuary through custom enrichment and a climate-controlled rehabilitation centre. Ricky's future now includes plenty of space to be undisturbed by humans and traffic. She will in time be able to run and play with other bears.

The lawsuit, filed by Carl Hittinger and Brian Saunders of BakerHostetler and attorney Brian LaManna, accused James H. McDaniel, Jr. of violating state regulations that require the humane care and treatment of wild animals and of posing a threat to public safety by holding a bear at the Lincoln Highway-based store.

"BakerHostetler was pleased to bring this case on behalf of our local clients and ALDF to right this animal abuse and release Ricky to a reputable, independently-certified sanctuary where she belongs," said Carl Hittinger, a partner at BakerHostetler. In the settlement, Mr. McDaniel agreed to release Ricky, and the plaintiffs agreed to drop the lawsuit as a result.

"Our legal team is thrilled that Mr. McDaniel has made the ethical choice to send Ricky to the experienced professionals at the Wild Animal Sanctuary," said Matthew Liebman, senior attorney for ALDF. "We were prepared to litigate until Ricky was free, but this decision will save everyone time and money and Ricky won't have to wait any longer to feel the earth beneath her paws."

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