Heber City has a stunning new addition to its growing public art scene: a larger-than-life mural of the beloved Bart the Bear, created by artist Chris Peterson and located at 100 South Main Street. This mural is part of Peterson’s Utah Wildlife Walls project, in collaboration with the Utah Wildlife Federation and Heber City’s TAP (Trails, Arts, and Parks) tax initiative.
Bart the Bear, an iconic grizzly, was more than just a celebrity animal; he became a symbol of wildlife preservation and a beloved figure in the Heber Valley community. Located in the heart of Heber City, this mural captures Bart’s majestic spirit, creating a powerful bridge between wildlife advocacy and community pride.
Honoring a Legendary Legacy
“Bart the Bear I,” was born in 1977 and became one of Hollywood’s most renowned animal actors. Adopted and trained by Wasatch County residents, Doug and Lynne Seus, Bart starred in films like The Bear, Legends of the Fall, The Edge, and The Great Outdoors, capturing audiences worldwide with his imposing 1,500-pound frame and remarkable intelligence. His calm demeanor and gentle personality endeared him to the Seus’, who shared their lives with Bart for over two decades until his passing in 2000. Bart’s life inspired the creation of the Vital Ground Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting critical wildlife habitats.
The mural also pays tribute to Bart’s successor, Bart the Bear II, known as Little Bart. While not directly related to Bart I, Bart II grew into his own legend, sharing his predecessor’s calm nature and love for the spotlight. Bart II appeared in films like We Bought a Zoo and Into the Wild, and continued as an ambassador for conservation until his passing in 2021. Together, these two bears have helped Vital Ground protect over 600,000 acres of wildlife habitat, creating safer spaces for grizzlies and other species across the American West.
A Grizzly Neighbor
Bart the Bear lived right here in our Heber Valley at the Seus’ ranch. This home was not just a residence for Bart but also a training ground and a sanctuary where he enjoyed a life filled with care, training, and enrichment. The property had ample space to allow Bart and other animals under the Seus’ care, such as a few other trained grizzlies like Tank and Honey Bump, to roam, play, and exercise in a naturalistic setting.
The Seus Ranch: A Special Haven
The Seus ranch was designed to mimic the kind of environment a grizzly bear would experience in the wild, complete with open, secure areas that allowed Bart the freedom to explore safely. Bart’s enclosures provided him with different habitats, including wooded areas, open fields, and a large pond where he could swim. This natural setting was critical for his physical and mental well-being, given his size — he was 1,500 pounds and 9.5 feet tall — and his natural instincts.
The Seus’ home in Heber City also became a hub for animal training for film and television. Doug and Lynne had a unique philosophy that relied on positive reinforcement and trust-based training methods, allowing Bart and their other bears to perform complex tasks on cue with remarkable calmness and reliability. The bond the couple cultivated with Bart was so profound that he reportedly could differentiate Doug’s instructions from Lynne’s, and he seemed to perform not out of necessity but out of trust and familiarity with his trainers.
A Future for Bart’s Legacy
Our new Bart the Bear mural is more than public art — it’s a community landmark and a reminder that wild places and animals need human allies. With this mural, Heber City has honored a true icon while reinforcing its commitment to conservation. It’s an invitation for everyone to reflect on what Bart represented: the fierce yet fragile beauty of wildlife.
Bart’s life and legacy remains a reminder of what can be achieved when we recognize the animals we share our world with as kin and symbols of wild freedom. Whether a local or a visitor just passing through, all are welcome to pause, look up at Bart’s mural, take a selfie, and feel inspired to make a positive impact in preserving the landscapes that Utah’s wildlife calls home.
