For many years, Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) history was tucked away in a big purple Rubbermaid tub, in old binders and in dusty files. Beginning in 2012, our staff partnered with former curators, board members, volunteers, wildlife officials, and The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine to organize the history and make it available in digital format. We sorted documents, photos and slides, and filed them by bear cub number and name, an arduous process. In 2021, ABR took the next step and organized the cub data into a database that allows for simplified queries and better access to information. ABR cub records and database are now available to our curators and to others who wish to use them in research to help bears.
We hope you enjoy learning about all the bears that have received a second chance at Appalachian Bear Rescue!