Boom Boom, the Story of a Bear

The San Diego Zoo had a distinct advantage because it was located in a port town. And moreover, it was located in a Navy port town. Because of this, the zoo benefited from donations of wild animals brought in from exotic destinations from all over the world. (This was years before the 1973 treaty between nations governing the movement of wild species across international borders.)

A few years ago, I wrote a story about an Asiatic Bear that lived at the Lee Richardson Zoo, for the local newspaper. I had dug up the fascinating history from military documents donated by the daughter of a former Lee Richardson zoo director:

"In 1965, The Navy Seabees donated a sun bear named Boo Boo to the San Diego Zoo. A year later, the re-deployed Seabees were determined to find a mate for the first bear. They purchased another, from Montagnard tribes in rain forests located 150 miles northwest of Saigon. They named it Boom Boom.

"Bear Boom Boom, service Number is 000 00 01, served as Battalion mascot to the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion TEN, known as the men-of-TEN, at Camp Hoover, in Da Nang, Vietnam from September to December 1966.

"It was noted that Boom Boom was given a cage with tree, swing, and bath. He was fed dog food, which he greatly enjoyed and was taken on daily walks by his handlers. He escaped once, which led “25 Seabees on a merry half hour chase.”

"An enclosed photograph showed a leashed bear turning in irritation against his handler. A second man is wearing a thick pair of welder’s gloves, supposedly to protect against teeth and claws.

"Boom Boom was not an ideal recruit. As noted in the enlisted performance evaluation of his service record, “Assigned 2.0 in Professional Performance. BEAR has failed to entertain anyone. He takes no interest in his tasks and sees fit to just eat, sleep and in general vegetate all day.

“Assigned 2.6 in Military Behavior. BEAR resists all commands and at time becomes belligerent when approached. Further, he has not complied with MCB TEN Notice 1000 in that he will not keep his hair cut to less than 1”.

“BEAR has failed to perform his assigned tasks to any degree of satisfaction. He has not adapted himself to the military way of life. He neither accepts nor tries to carry out regulations or lawful commands He always appears in a complete uniform, but does not maintain a military bearing.

“BEAR often slouches and lets his abdominal muscles relax thereby looking like a slob. He has failed to correct his speech and writing deficiencies and it is suggested he attend the English class now in session.

“Bear has not tried to lose weight voluntarily, and thus it is recommended he be ordered to eat at the Fat Bear’s Table. Assigned 1.0 in Adaptability, BEAR is a loner. He does not try to make friends or get along with personnel in this Battalion.

“It is recommended that he see Dr. BATTLE at “C” MED for psychiatric treatment, because he attempted to strike the Medical Officer while he was performing required medical treatment – immunization.”

"Boom Boom Bear was originally enlisted for a two-years, but upon verbal orders of the commanding officer, he was “transferred under guard” to the San Diego Zoo where he was ordered to report “for processing and proper classification.”

"There was a problem. Boom Boom was an Asiatic black bear and the intended mate was a sun bear. The embarrassed military noted that they would henceforth carry photos of the proper bear species. In May 1967, the Navy gave permission for Boom Boom to be transferred to the Lee Richardson Zoo.

"So that is the true story of how Boom Boom came to Kansas. He lived at the Lee Richardson Zoo for 31 years, making him one of the longest lived Asiatic black bears in captivity."