On the night of May 31, a Black Bear sow was hit and killed by a vehicle in Loudoun County. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resource biologists responded to the scene and found a bear cub that had climbed a nearby tree. Biologists Jordan and Carl worked well into the night to extract the orphaned cub from a tree; they were finally successful the following morning at 4:00 am! Carl transported the cub to the Wildlife Center just hours later as staff arrived at work.
Dr. Olivia, one of the Center’s veterinary interns, examined the male cub when he arrived. She reports that the bear was bright, alert, and responsive, and appeared in good body condition. The physical examination revealed no injuries, and radiographs and skin scrapings were also within normal limits. The cub weighed 9.60 kg – the largest of the five cubs currently at the Center!
The cub was placed in a Zinger Crate and moved to the left side of the Large Mammal Isolation enclosure later that same evening for an introduction to cub #22-0462. On the morning of June 2, wildlife rehabilitator Kelsey opened the door of the crate.