Winnie-the-Pooh Centenary Highlights Real Bear’s Journey from WWI to London Zoo
Marking the 100th anniversary of the first Winnie-the-Pooh book, new details have emerged regarding the real bear that inspired the character. The animal, named Winnie, was a female bear brought to the UK by Canadian vet Harry Colbourn during World War I. After being stationed on Salisbury Plain, she was moved to London Zoo, where she became a popular attraction. A.A. Milne’s son, Christopher Robin, visited the bear and named his toy after her, leading to the creation of the fictional character. The real Winnie lived at the zoo until 1934 and is remembered through historical records and recent commemorative efforts.