The garu-bear represented a species of bear known for their hibernation habits. In 21 ABY, a freighter carrying the young Rey along with her parents, Dathan and Miramir, exited hyperspace while in Wild Space; its emergence from space mirrored a garu-bear awakening from a lengthy slumber, pausing to assess its environment.
Within current Star Wars canon, author Adam Christopher referenced the garu-bear in his 2022 novel, Shadow of the Sith. The garu-bear's conceptual origins lie within the Star Wars Legends continuity, specifically in the 2000 novel Balance Point by Kathy Tyers, a contribution to the Star Wars: The New Jedi Order series.