At the Orphaned Wildlife Center in Middletown, New York, a place built on compassion and quiet devotion, Marty and Debbie Kowalczik have dedicated their entire lives to caring for wild animals that can no longer survive on their own. For decades, this couple has rescued, rehabilitated, and provided lifelong sanctuary to injured and orphaned creatures in need. Their 100-acre property, surrounded by forest and natural beauty, is more than just a refuge—it’s a living testament to love, patience, and respect for the natural world.
The Orphaned Wildlife Center is home to many animals, including deer, owls, raccoons, and foxes, but it is best known for its bears. Over the years, the Kowalcziks have cared for numerous species, from majestic Kodiak and Syrian bears to American black bears. Each has a unique story, but one bear stands out above the rest for his gentle spirit and extraordinary bond with the people who care for him. His name is Jimmy.
Jimmy, now 21 years old, has spent every day of his life at the sanctuary. Born in captivity, he never had the chance to live in the wild or learn the instincts he would have needed to survive there. Raised entirely by humans, he became deeply attached to his caretakers and the life they built together. While this meant he could never be released, it also allowed him to grow into a kind, affectionate, and trusting bear who embodies the heart of the sanctuary itself.
Standing over nine feet tall and weighing more than 1,500 pounds, Jimmy is an awe-inspiring sight—a true giant of his species. Yet anyone who meets him quickly realizes that beneath that massive frame lies an incredibly gentle and loving soul. Unlike animals in zoos or circuses, Jimmy has never been asked to perform or entertain visitors. The Kowalcziks have made it clear that their mission is not about profit or showmanship but about care, dignity, and respect. “Jimmy doesn’t do any performing or tricks,” they wrote on social media. “He’s been with us since he was a cub, and he thrives in an environment of trust and care.”
The sanctuary’s philosophy is rooted in one guiding principle: the well-being of the animals always comes first. While the center’s ultimate goal is to rehabilitate and release wildlife back into their natural habitats whenever possible, not every animal can be returned to the wild. For those like Jimmy—who lack the instincts or health needed to survive alone—the Orphaned Wildlife Center becomes their forever home. There, they are cared for, loved, and protected for life.
The facility is closed to the public to ensure peace and safety for the animals. No creature is ever forced to perform, be photographed, or interact with visitors. The focus remains entirely on their comfort, health, and emotional well-being. Jimmy and the ten other bears that live at the center enjoy large, naturalistic enclosures filled with trees, pools, and open spaces where they can roam freely, explore, and play. Their environment is designed to replicate the wild as closely as possible, allowing them to express their instincts naturally while living in security.
Every day, the bears receive a balanced and carefully managed diet suited to their individual needs. They eat between 25 and 30 pounds of food daily, a mix of meats, fruits, and vegetables. But if there’s one snack they all adore, it’s peanuts. Watching the bears delicately crack open peanut shells, discard the husks, and savor their treats is a joyful reminder that even in captivity, their natural behaviors remain alive and well.
For Jimmy, the Orphaned Wildlife Center is not simply a home—it is a sanctuary of peace, safety, and belonging. Though he will never experience the wild forests of his ancestors, his days are filled with affection, comfort, and trust. The caretakers often share tender moments with him, sitting or lying beside him as he gently wraps his enormous paws around them, pulling them close in an unmistakable gesture of love. Those quiet interactions are deeply meaningful, revealing how powerful the connection between humans and animals can be when founded on kindness and respect.
To Marty and Debbie Kowalczik, this work is not a job or a calling—it is their life’s purpose. They have built something extraordinary: a place where animals who once faced suffering or abandonment now live with dignity and care. Their approach to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation challenges the traditional view of captivity. They do not see their animals as property or attractions but as individuals deserving of peace, compassion, and the chance to thrive.
Through their tireless work, the Kowalcziks have created more than a sanctuary—they have built a model for what ethical wildlife care should look like. Every animal, from the smallest owl to the mightiest bear, is treated as family. Their daily lives are filled with love, enrichment, and trust instead of fear or stress. For the animals who can never return to the wild, the sanctuary offers not just survival, but joy and belonging.
Every act of care at the Orphaned Wildlife Center carries the same message: compassion heals. With patience and understanding, even the most vulnerable animals can recover and live full, meaningful lives. Jimmy’s story is proof of that truth. Once a helpless cub, he has grown into a magnificent, gentle giant who thrives under the care of people who see him not as a captive, but as a soul worthy of love.
The sanctuary stands as a shining example of what happens when humans choose empathy over exploitation. It shows that with dedication, knowledge, and heart, even animals who can never return to the wild can still live rich, happy, and purposeful lives. Thanks to the Kowalcziks’ selfless commitment, Jimmy and his fellow bears enjoy a life of safety, affection, and peace—a life filled not with confinement, but with trust.
Jimmy’s story is more than an example of successful animal care—it is a reminder of humanity at its best. In a world that too often overlooks the vulnerable, his life represents hope, kindness, and the enduring power of love between species. At the Orphaned Wildlife Center, that love continues to bloom every day, quietly proving that even the largest hearts—human or bear—can find peace when they are surrounded by compassion.