Black Bear cub #18-1089 update

On June 17, the veterinary team anesthetized Black Bear cub #18-1089 for radiographs and a bandage change. The cub has been contained in a Zinger crate to limit her movement during the healing period, though the rehabilitation staff have reported that the cub has been a difficult patient, since she likes to knock over her water, which gets her bandage wet.

Dr. Monica carefully removed the bandage on Sunday and noted that the bear had a new wound on the first digit of her injured leg; the joint of the toe was also dislocated. Radiographs revealed that the fractured bones were healing appropriately, though the bear’s toe injury would require amputation, which shouldn’t prevent release. Dr. Monica was able to successfully remove the tip of the bear’s toe, though there was not enough skin to close around the wound. She carefully bandaged the wound and re-applied a hard cast splint on the bear’s healing leg. The next bandage change and check is scheduled for Friday, June 22.