Recently, two Alaskan native cubs were found on a dark Florida road – and the man who “illegally” imported them is facing nearly a dozen charges.
Shae Hensley, 53, housed the Kodiak bears on a property in Baker, “crammed into a 10-by-20-foot wire mesh enclosure.”
Hensley told the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office that he forgot to lock the gate one evening to allow the animals to escape – they are now being held at the Panama City Zoo.
Hensley faces 11 charges for unlawfully importing the bears without obtaining a permit, for failing to report the cubs' escape and for receiving the animals without the proper enclosure.
PETA told that it tipped off wildlife officials back in October that Hensley had illegally acquired the cubs from a zoo in New Jersey.
53-year-old Shae Hensley faces 11 charges for illegally importing two Alaska-native cubs into Florida without obtaining a permit, for failing to report the cubs' escape, and for taking the animals without proper authorization enclosure received
The boys were “crammed into a 10-by-20-foot chain-link enclosure” when Hensley forgot to lock the gate one evening, he told Okaloosa County officials
Michelle Sinnott, director of captive animal law enforcement at the PETA Foundation, said, “If the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC) had acted on PETA's tip back in October, these exploited bears would never have escaped in the middle of the night.”
Hensley was also cautioned for unsuitable enclosures for other animals, including foxes, skunks and raccoons.
The bears made headlines this month after Florida police released body camera footage showing two bear cubs wandering down a dark street at 3:30 a.m.
Authorities believed the animals were black bears, but an FWC investigation revealed the cubs' home was more than 3,600 miles away.
However, a closer look at the size and color revealed that the animals were not native to Florida.
According to an incident report obtained by WEAR, Hensley told FWC that he has had licenses for the bears since he received them in February 2023.
A pair of Alaskan native cubs were found on a back road in Florida, sparking an investigation into why the animals were more than 3,600 miles from their home
The bears made headlines this month after Florida police released body camera footage showing two bear cubs wandering down a dark street at 3:30 a.m
PETA told FWC back in October that Hensley had the help of New York-based roadside zoo owner Larry Wallach, who gave the Florida resident his license to import the bears.
The bears are believed to have come from Space Farms Zoo in Sussex, New Jersey.
PETA's investigation into Hensley revealed that he had several exotic animals, including two Patagonia guinea pigs, a young kangaroo, several ostriches and a water buffalo.
Wallach was charged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2022 for housing baby sloths in unapproved locations and failing to provide inspectors with a written veterinary care program.
But Wallach has denied involvement in the Kodiak bear case.
Hensley's name is associated with a company called Kodiak Productions and Animal Actors LLC, which was founded on February 18, 2023.
The address shows a place full of animal enclosures that house birds and other creatures in the backyard.
WEAR reported that Hensley's property is for sale and the Kodiak Productions and Animal Actors LLC property is currently on the market.
Hensley's name is associated with a company called Kodiak Productions and Animal Actors LLC, which was founded on February 18, 2023
The address shows a place full of animal enclosures that house birds and other creatures in the backyard
Okaloosa County is in the Florida Panhandle, where black bears live.
While most people may not know the difference, black bears and Kodiak bears look very different.
Kodiak bears are much larger, weighing up to 1,500 pounds, while black bears weigh up to 600 pounds.
Native to Alaska, the animal is typically brown in color, while black bears can be found with brown, cinnamon and black fur.
The body camera footage begins with two officers exiting their vehicle to meet a resident who made the call.
Hensley reportedly had the help of New York-based roadside zoo owner Larry Wallach (pictured), who gave the Florida resident his license to import the bears. Wallach was accused of placing baby sloths in unauthorized locations
The two boys ran around in the middle of the street while officers illuminated the street.
“They want food or something,” the civilian told the officers. “They are clearly domesticated.”
In the footage you can see the man petting the boys – and the animals also tried to jump into the patrol vehicle parked on the side of the road.
“I think they’re brown,” the man said as he gave the boys some food.
“They’re not black bears.”
Officials suspected the cubs could be grizzly or brown bears.
“It's like they're not afraid of people.” “They walk right up to people and let them pet them,” said a dispatch officer, who responded, “The shenanigans at 3:30 a.m.”