In a world where human-animal relationships usually involve domesticated pets like cats or dogs, the tale of Mark Dumas and his polar bear companion, Agee, stands out as a truly extraordinary and rarely witnessed connection.
Agee, a fully grown male polar bear weighing around 1,500 pounds, found an unexpected friend in Mark Dumas, an animal trainer for films. This remarkable relationship began 18 years ago when Dumas was searching for a polar bear for a movie. He came across an eight-week-old polar bear, Agee, being hand-reared at a zoo.
Agee’s mother, an older bear, had given birth to numerous cubs before but could no longer care for this particular cub. Taking on the responsibility, Dumas successfully trained Agee for the movie, forming an unexpected bond with the polar bear.
“It’s my job, and it’s what I had to do, and then as I’m doing it, I became very, very attached to her,” shared Dumas. This extraordinary
bond makes Dumas the only person in the world with such a unique relationship with a polar bear.
“I love her a lot. I can’t say she loves me, but she really is bonded to me,” he added. Dumas’s wife, Dawn, affirmed that Agee does love him as well. The relationship between Agee and Dumas is unparalleled, and Dumas insists he would never change it for anything.
The close connection between Agee and Dumas is evident during their interactions. Agee can become aggressive when others divert Dumas’s attention away from him, showing a possessiveness that is endearing. Dumas and Agee’s relationship is so special that Dumas remains Agee’s primary guardian, provider, and playmate.
During an interview, the duo showcased their remarkable connection, emphasizing the depth of their care for each other. Dumas emphasized that he has never felt in danger around Agee, who sees him as a parent and companion.
When Agee and Dumas are together, Agee emits a sound akin to a purring cat, a contentment indicator. This unique sound is evidence of Agee’s happiness when in Dumas’s company. Despite questions about why a fully grown polar bear isn’t in the wild, one undeniable truth prevails – Dumas and Agee share an unbreakable bond.
Dumas’s love for Agee, reciprocated by Agee’s attachment to him, establishes them as integral parts of each other’s family, forging a special connection that cannot be shattered.
Witness the extraordinary relationship between Mark and polar bear Agee in the video below!
