“This large teddy bear was something that provided him comfort,” Welch said. “When we were not there, he would seek shelter by her, go rest against her, take naps all cuddled up with the ...

“Mama” is a giant stuffed teddy bear propped up in the corner of a pen at the humane society's 13-acre (5-hectare) Ramona Wildlife Center near San Diego.

When completed — all tossed on cue — the Ice Flyers had collected 1,077 of the toy stuffed animals from the annual Teddy Bear Toss during the Ice Flyers game against the Columbus Cottonmouths.