The 2019 Black Bear cub season started on Friday, April 19 with the arrival of cub #19-0492!
The female cub was found alone in a very urban part of Roanoke – the cub had been seen over the course of 24 hours, near a busy road by a Walmart. The Roanoke Police were able to pick up the cub and then called a DGIF biologist to discuss the situation. The police were concerned that there was no safe space to leave the cub to be reunited with her mother; there was a high risk of injury or of a private citizen picking up the cub. The DGIF biologist brought the young bear to the Wildlife Center that same afternoon.
Dr. Karra examined the bear cub when she arrived and found her to be bright, alert, and very vocal. The bear had a few fleas and ticks, and was a little thin; she weighed in at 1.78 kg. Radiographs were within normal limits.
The rehabilitation staff set up a Zinger crate for the bear in a small outdoor area; the bear will be able to hear and smell the outdoors, though will be protected from the elements until she’s older. Wildlife rehabilitator Kelsey and rehabilitation intern Kylee have full responsibility for caring for the young cub at this point; it’s critical that the cub only sees very few caregivers during the rehabilitation process. Kelsey and Kylee are feeding the cub three times a day; the cub is not particularly interested in formula from a bottle, but is eating readily from a “mush bowl” – a bowl of thickened formula and baby food.
As of Monday morning, the cub already gained 390 g, and the rehab team reports that she is doing well.
Your donation will help provide special care to this Black Bear cub -- for the next year!