Yonnie the Bear’s Sweet Life and Legacy

Raleigh News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 27, 2026 · 1m

A beloved 27-year-old black bear named Yonnie, known for her sweet tooth, playful personality, and devoted motherhood to eight cubs, was humanely euthanized after battling age-related arthritis. Once outspoken and full of attitude, she mellowed into a calm, sweet presence in her later years. She shared a special bond with her buddy Kodiak, and her name—meaning “trail of the black bear” in Cherokee—honors her legacy. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation remembers her not just for her longevity, but for the love she poured into her cubs and the joy she brought to all who knew her…