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Winnie the Pooh is referred to as “he” in AA Milne’s books and in the Disney cartoons. The little bear’s voice has always been provided by a man. But it turns out that Winnie, the real-life bear who provided the name, was actually a female black bear.
Christopher Robin, son of AA Milne and star of the books and cartoons, had called his teddy Winnie, having seen the actual bear a number of times in London Zoo.
Read the full story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34756100/the-bear-which-inspired-winnie-the-pooh