Which president kept grizzly bears

He made it as far as Colorado—giving Pikes Peak its name—before apparently getting lost and wandering into what was then the Spanish territory of New Mexico the degree to which he was really lost, as opposed to trying to gather military information on the Spanish, has been debated by historians. He was detained by the Spaniards, but released unharmed after a year. And what better way to thank the president for that lofty commission than to share a little gift of appreciation?

For a while, the president put his increasingly treacherous gift in a cage near the north entrance to the White House. But the president didn't want to keep the cubs for long. While we mostly hear about dogs, there have been other animals living at the White House too. Abraham Lincoln 16th President, and his family took care of many animals, including a pig, a rabbit, ponies, cats, and dogs.

The boys would tie carts or kitchen chairs to the goats and race them around the White House, sometimes interrupting formal receptions. The two became quick friends.

When Tad learned Jack was destined for the dinner table, he interrupted a cabinet meeting and begged his father to save the turkey. Being a great animal-lover, President Lincoln spared the turkey. Perhaps Lincoln inspired President George H. Bush; he issued the first official presidential pardon for a Thanksgiving turkey in , starting a new tradition at the White House.

Instead he took care of them, leaving them a basket of flour by the fireplace every night. Theodore Roosevelt 26th President, and his family also loved animals and had plenty of them at the White House, including a zebra, a parrot, bears, a lion, a hyena, a coyote, rats, and a one-legged rooster.

Imagine bumping into Alice at a party with a snake slithering out of her pocketbook! Once when his brother Archie was sick, Quentin tried to cheer him up by bringing the family pony up the elevator and into his room for a visit. Herbert Hoover 31st President, had two pet alligators that belonged to his son Allan.

Sometimes the president allowed them to wander around the White House. It must have been quite a shock turning a corner and catching a glimpse of those sharp teeth! Thomas Jefferson 3rd President, received some unusual pet presents when he sent several expeditions out west to explore some land the U. He asked them to send back some samples of what they found. When they outgrew their cages, they roamed around the White House lawn with the peacocks, partridges, and mockingbirds.

Often when he retired to his chamber it would hop up the stairs after him. John Quincy Adams 6th President, enjoyed scaring guests with his pet alligator. Martin Van Buren 8th President, received a pair of tiger cubs as a gift from the Sultan of Oman. Taft was the most obese president. He was 5 feet, He is thought to have had difficulty getting out of the White House bathtub, so he had a 7-foot 2.

Zachary Taylor: Death of the President. After attending Fourth of July orations for most of the day, Taylor walked along the Potomac River before returning to the White House. Hot and tired, he drank iced water and consumed large quantities of cherries and other fruits. Begin typing your search term above and press enter to search. Press ESC to cancel. Ben Davis February 4, What president kept 2 grizzly bear cubs at the White House?

Did Thomas Jefferson have 2 grizzly bears? Which president had bears at the White House?