A real bear named Winnie was a popular attraction at
the London Zoo. At the outbreak of World War I,a Canadian veterinary surgeon was on his way from Winnipeg he bought a bear cub from the hunter who'd shot the cub's mother. The young officer named the cub Winnie (for Winnipeg), and the bear travelled with him to England.
When the soldiers left for France, Winnie was left in the care of the London Zoo, and it was there that Christopher Robin discovered her. Winnie was incredibly tame, and on one occasion Christopher was allowed into Winnie's cage to feed her. Although the "real live" Winnie did not like honey, she did have a sweet tooth and reportedly preferred condensed milk to raw meat.