Memphis Zoo’s Black Bear River Goes Viral for His Creative Use of a Wheelbarrow

The Memphis Zoo’s beloved black bear, River, has captured hearts online after a recent video showed him turning a simple wheelbarrow into the ultimate lounging spot.

In the clip, posted by the Memphis Zoo on August 5, the 20-year-old bear flips over a bright yellow wheelbarrow left in his habitat as enrichment. After a few playful adjustments, River manages to tuck himself comfortably inside, leaning back to enjoy the sunshine like a true relaxation expert.

River, who was born on January 26 and weighs 519 pounds, is well-known among zoo staff for his love of cozy spaces and seasonal scents.

“He’s got a nose for the cozy things in life and absolutely lives for fall-inspired scents like pumpkin and cinnamon,” said Amanda Moses, the zoo’s marketing and communications manager. “Memphis Zoo animals receive all kinds of creative enrichment from our care teams, and this was clearly a win.”

The video quickly drew warm reactions from followers, with comments comparing River’s posture to lounging in the summer heat or sailing on an imaginary boat.

From playful enrichment to moments of pure comfort, River continues to show the community—and the internet—that sometimes, the simple things bring the most joy.

You can follow River’s adventures and other Memphis Zoo updates on their Instagram and Facebook pages.