‘He was a big softy’ TV documentary brings back memories of Hercules the bear

A television documentary about Hercules the bear will bring back many memories for a Perth man.

Hercules the Human Bear, which will be shown on Thursday at 9pm on Channel Five (see video trailer here), tells the story of Andy and Maggie Robin and their relationship with a grizzly bear which lived with them at the Big Bear Ranch in Glendevon.

Joe Kennedy, 78, of May Place, met with couple and their protg in his role as sales manager with FMC in Perth.

The meat plant supplied ox hearts, which were cooked for Hercules. FMC wanted someone to do a meat promotion with Hercules but with few volunteers to meet a bear, Mr Kennedy stepped forward.

He went down to the Sheriffmuir Inn, which the couple had at the time, to meet them.

“This bear came in and sat down beside me,” Mr Kennedy said.

“I was terrified at the time but he was a big softy.”

Mr Kennedy still has a picture on his wall of one of their meetings, which was used in newspapers around the world.