Black Bear cub #16-2441

Admission Date: 
November 15, 2016
Release Date: 
April 13, 2017
Location of Rescue: 
Warren County, VA
Cause of Admission / Condition: 
Orphaned
Patient Status: 
Patient Archive
Released

On November 15, a Black Bear sow was hit and killed by a car in Warren County, Virginia. A private citizen saw the sow's cub hanging around the area during the day and called animal control officials for help. The bear was able to be captured and admitted to the Wildlife Center later that same evening.

The small male cub was in good body condition, but was smaller than expected at this time of year, weighing in at 7.3 kg. Dr. Ernesto found a very heavy parasite load in the bear's feces; radiographs revealed abnormalities in the bear's lungs, indicating possible bacterial or parasitic pneumonia. At this point, the bear is not having difficulty breathing, though further observation is needed.

Dr. Ernesto started the cub on a course of anti-parasitic medication and antibiotics and placed the bear in the Center's Large Mammal Isolation enclosure. The bear will remain there until both treatments have ended; if the bear recovers from the pneumonia, he will be tagged and moved to the Black Bear Complex with the other 11 bear cubs.

Your special donation will help the Center to provide care to this orphaned Black Bear ... and to the 2,500 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals the Center will treat this year.

Updates

April 13, 2017

On the morning of April 13, six bears were successfully darted and loaded into VDGIF transport traps for release!

The first group of bears included Yellow/Green Tags [#16-1874], Red/Green Tags [#16-2441], and No Tags [#16-0598]. The second release group included Double Red Tags [#17-1441], Pink Tag {#16-1654], and Pink/White Tags [#16-1813]. The bears were re-tagged with Double Green ear tags prior to release.

A third biologist who was coming to pick up another three bears was called away on an emergency; the release of Yellow Tag, Pink/Green Tags, and Double Pink Tags will be rescheduled.

The remaining bears -- White Tag, Red Tag, Orange Tag, and Green Tag -- are being treated for their hair loss. So far, the bears have been negative for mange, but the veterinary team is treating them with an anti-parasitic just to be on the safe side.

View more release photos here: 

Releasing the Black Bears of 2016: Day #1

 

December 1, 2016

The veterinary team have been monitoring Black Bear cub #16-2441 in the days following his admission; the bear did not have any signs of respiratory distress, despite the abnormal lung radiographs on admission. On November 25, the cub was darted and sedated for additional radiographs; Dr. Peach noted that the lung pattern on the radiograph actually appeared slightly worse than it did on admission. Dr. Peach explained that lung issues typically resolve more slowly and will continue to heal after the full course of antibiotics is given.

Additional observation confirmed that the cub did not have any clinical signs; the cubs respiratory rate and sounds were normal. On November 28, the cub was allowed to have direct contact with his neighbor, yearling #16-2409. On December 1, after #16-2409 was examined and moved to the Black Bear Complex, a large live trap was set to catch cub #16-2441.

After the cub was caught, Dr. Peach darted and anesthetized the cub so that a colored identification tag could be placed in each ear. The cub is now "Red/Green Tag" and was moved to the transition area of yard #2 to recover, along with yearling #16-2409. After a couple of days, the cub will be allowed to mingle with the other 11 cubs in yard #2.

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