A few days ago, the curators noticed that Casper and his brother Shadow were breathing a bit irregularly. If you were following ABR last year you may recall the pneumonia-like lung infection that swept through WE #4 and the resulting illness of the cubs there. After we lost three cubs to the infection, we hoped it would never happen again. But this turned out to be the same thing as last year, and once again it occurred in Enclosure #4, in spite of the diligent work by the curators who had burned and sterilized the area before the 2024 cubs arrived. Fortunately, given the previous experience, the curators were on it right away, separating the cubs and administering the needed meds as prescribed by the doctors at UTCVM. It has made a tremendous difference, as you will see in these photos. Casper and Shadow are housed in The Recovery Center, while Puff, Peeps, and SuBearu are sharing The Cub House and its Acclimation Pen.

Casper is doing well and tolerating the confinement.

Shadow, also is doing well even though confined.

Puff is getting along well in The Cub House with the two other cubs.

Peeps and SuBearu are eating in The Acclimation Pen.

Phoenix finds comfort with Not-a-Polar-Bear.

Although he is a fragile little cub, he seems to be holding his own.

He is eating a little, but spends most of his time sleeping.

He always naps on NAPB.

Bear rescue is truly an up-and-down proposition, with joy and sadness, often on the same day.