Animal

Meet the Extraordinary Man Who Shares His Life with a Giant Polar Bear

Imagine having a best friend who stands over seven feet tall on hind legs and weighs 60 stone. For bear trainer Mark Dumas, this is reality—his best friend is a full-grown polar bear named Agee. While most people might dream of swimming with dolphins or dread the idea of encountering sharks, Mark enjoys something far more daring: sharing his swimming pool and even his bed with a polar bear.

Mark and Agee, who live in British Columbia, share an incredible bond that many would find hard to believe. This relationship is so deep that it even extends to playful wrestling sessions, followed by naps together inside Agee’s enclosure. Mark, with over 40 years of experience in bear training, understands Agee’s body language to the point where he can safely interact with her in ways no one else could.

“If anyone else tried this, they would end up as Agee’s dinner,” Mark jokes, emphasizing the unique trust and understanding that exists between them. Agee only has affection for Mark and his wife, making their bond truly one of a kind.

This unusual friendship is featured in a new documentary by Barcroft Original, titled “There’s a Polar Bear in My Pool.” The documentary highlights the lives of eccentric individuals who share their homes with the world’s largest land predators. Mark and Agee’s relationship is showcased alongside other fascinating stories, such as Johnny Welde and his family, who raise and train 13 massive bears for the movie industry in Florida.

Johnny’s family has been working with bears for nearly 90 years, and they’ve trained these majestic creatures to perform tricks based on their personalities. Despite their intimidating size, Johnny’s wife, Monica, insists they would never endanger their children, who have grown up alongside the bears.

Another story from the documentary features Carl Bovard, who shares his Florida home with two baby bears, Bruiser and Honey. Unlike Mark’s massive polar bear, these little bears enjoy swimming and even surfing in Carl’s garden. Though they may seem cuddly, Carl warns that caring for baby bears comes with its own set of challenges, including sharp claws and an expensive diet.

Whether it’s wrestling with a polar bear, training giant movie stars, or swimming with baby bears, these extraordinary relationships show the deep bonds that can form between humans and some of the world’s most powerful animals. For Mark Dumas and Agee, their story is a testament to the remarkable connection that can exist between man and bear.