Standing watch over a historic former Canadian resort that has hosted the likes of Johnny Cash, among others, was the formidable Harry the polar bear. Standing nearly 12 feet in height, the taxidermied bruin had been a fixture at the former bar and resort now known as the Lionsheart Wholeness Center.
That is, until he was reported stolen one cold January night earlier this year.
In an event that has authorities scratching their heads with possible motives, it’s also one that’s damn near impossible to believe. Located on the 2nd floor of the resort, the stuffed polar bear weighed over 500 pounds and was secured to a building that boasted 24-hour security.
If you happen to be thinking that all of this seems a tad overwhelming for a wellness center filled with stuffed animals, think again.
In August of 2023, investigators indicated that a pair of taxidermied raccoons were stolen during a similar break in. While it remains unclear as to whether these two cases are linked, RCMP investigators are taking both of them quite seriously.
It is believed that the polar bear heist took place on the evening of January 22nd of this year. During an intense snap of cold weather in the area 30 miles north of Edmonton, security detail was called off for the night, making Harry and the resort a soft target, at least for one evening.
Given the unique timing of the incident, the Wholesome Center’s executive director Wanda Rowe believes it was a planned event.
“It had to be planned,” Ms. Rowe said. “It 100 per cent had to be planned.”
Rowe said that the thieves broke into the building, which was empty that particular night, cut the cables securing the bear and dragged all 500 pounds of him across the balcony, down the stairs and right out the double front doors.
Between the two, Rowe estimates the thieves made away with around $35,000 worth of taxidermy that they’d like to have back.
“He was really an icon here, and it’s weird to walk by and not see him now,” she said. “Feels like something is missing.”
RCMP constable Kelsey Davidge has called it “The Heist of the Big Polar Bear” and has her sights set on watching online marketplaces for Harry’s familiar face to pop up.
The resort is reportedly home to a variety of other taxidermy including a bison, a cougar, a musk ox and a few deer. No word on additional security measures, but given the history and current inventory, we can only assume that things are going to be pretty tight over at the Lionsheart Wholeness Center for the foreseeable future.
