Orphaned black bear cub rescued in Virginia after dog brings it home

by ELIZABETH TYREE, WSET Staff

Wed, February 12th 2020, 5:04 PM UTC

The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro said that the infant black bear cub was admitted to the Wildlife Center on February 6 after a dog found it and brought it home in Washington County (Wildlife Center)

A female cub was taken to the Wildlife Center on January 28 after being found on top of a brush pile in Craig County by power line workers on January 22 (Wildlife Center)

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The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro said that the infant black bear cub was admitted to the Wildlife Center on February 6 after a dog found it and brought it home in Washington County (Wildlife Center)

WASHINGTON Co., Va. (WSET) -- A black bear cub is on his way to rehabilitation after a family dog found him and brought him home.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro said that the infant black bear cub was admitted to the Wildlife Center on February 6 after the dog's owners were unsure of where the cub came from.

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On February 6, an infant male Black Bear cub (patient #20-0084) was admitted to the Wildlife Center. The cub was found the evening before in Washington County when a family dog brought home the tiny cub. The homeowners were unsure where the cub came from, so they called the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF). A biologist transported the cub to the Center. . . . To read more about this patient, visit the link in our bio! . . . #wildlife #bearsofinstagram #wildlifeconservation #conservationeducation #wildlifehospital #wildlifemedicine #blackbearcub

A post shared by Wildlife Center of Virginia (@wildlifecenter_va) on Feb 7, 2020 at 9:57am PST

They called the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries who took the cub to the center.

Dr. Claire, the center's veterinary intern, examined the cub when he got there and found that he was bright and alert and vocalizing readily, but was mildly dehydrated.

The center said he was settled into an incubator and was added to their 'round-the-clock bottle feeding schedule.

The cub was introduced to a female cub taken to the center on January 28 after being found on top of a brush pile in Craig County by power line workers. The center said the female cub was nearly frozen.

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On January 22, an infant Black Bear cub was found in Craig County by power line workers; the cub was on top of a brush pile and was nearly frozen. The workers thought the cub was dead at first, but after they warmed the infant bear, she started crying. . . . The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries took the cub and immediately began looking for potential foster mother bears. Unfortunately, they were not able to find dens with cubs, so the orphaned cub could not be placed with these females. . . . The infant bear was admitted to the Center as patient #20-0064 on January 28. Dr. Ernesto, the Center’s hospital director, found that the small female cub was bright and alert and in good body condition. There were no significant findings on the physical examination and radiographs, except mild dehydration and minor wheezing sounds in the bear’s right lung, likely due to a small amount of aspirated formula. The bear was given fluids and was set up in one of the Center’s incubators. . . . Visit the link in our bio to be taken to her patient story on our website. . . . #wildlife #cubsofinstagram #wildlifeconservation #conservationeducation #wildlifehospital #wildlifemedicine #blackbearcub

A post shared by Wildlife Center of Virginia (@wildlifecenter_va) on Jan 30, 2020 at 6:05am PST

The male cub weighed 540 grams and the female cub weighed 566 grams, which is the smallest cubs that have been admitted to the center in recent years.

The two spent the weekend in the same incubator.

The female cub was picked up the morning of February 10 for a fostering attempt that was successful.

"The sow held tight in her den and immediately scooped this little cub in when I placed her near the den entrance," the DGIF biologist reproted. "The cubs in this den (we think there are two) are probably about two- to three-weeks-old. This is a large sow (225+ lbs) so she should be able to take care of them all! I rechecked her [Monday] evening approximately 4.5 hours post-foster and they are all tucked in the den quiet as can be perfect scenario!"

DGIF biologists are picking up the male cub Wednesday morning for a fostering attempt.

The center said the two cubs will likely be fostered separately, due to the size and age difference; the biologist will also need to assess the number and age of cubs present at the den sites and will make final decisions in the field.

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