Bear from Minnesota gets new life at California rescue

ALPINE, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - A bear rescued from a home in Minnesota is getting a fresh start at a California rescue.

The first step in her new life is a physical.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears is based in the East County, way past Alpine, where they have white tigers, lions, and bears.

It's basically a retirement home for animals that have no business being in your backyard.

Bobbi Brink cares for more than 60 exotic animals at the animal rescue she founded in 2002. There are white tigers, jaguars and even bears.

They are wild animals, many of which were kept in private backyards as pets, or for bragging rights.

"You know, some of them have never touched dirt. They've never, never seen the open sky," Brink shared.

Brink dedicated her life to making sure they touch the dirt, see the sky and get the treatment they need to live a long, happy life.

This is the first step towards that happy life for Olivia the black bear.

Veterinarian Carla Bernal and her crew are giving the nine-year-old a thorough medical exam.

"She's going to have just an amazing life. Have so much more space. Be able to be a bear, which I love," Dr. Bernal expressed.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears rescued Olivia from a Minnesota home.

"Olivia was a backyard pet. She was bred by a breeder," Brink spoke.

However, she wasn't cared for by vets like Bernal, and the level of care will let Olivia live a longer, happier life in Alpine.

"I'm very excited for her future," Bernal remarked.