Our new cub, #362 Myrtle Bear, spent her first night at ABR in the Hartley House, where she has access to both rooms. Her first night went well. The curators experimented with different combinations of foods to see what her flavor preferences were. When she showed that she liked yogurt mixed with honey, they decided to add her pain and inflammation meds to that combination.

They had offered her a choice of flavors, to let her choose what she liked best.

After eating, she fell asleep on “Not Myrtle Bear.”

She slept for a good part of the night, but when she was awake, the curators were glad to see that she was moving well.

In the morning, she went into the other room, so that Curator Tom could clean up the room she had been in. He was glad to see that her urine and scat were normal.

Tom cleaned the room while Myrtle was in the other room.

Since her urine and scat are normal, Tom was able to spread cedar chips on the floor. This will make clean up easier.

Myrtle went to peek into the room. She was showing curiosity, a good sign. She could hear and smell Tom, but couldn’t really see him.

Tom raised the gate from outside the room, and Myrtle walked in. She is steady on her feet and walking straight, another good sign.

She ate the bowl that contained her meds. Good bear!

Myrtle went back to sleep with Not Myrtle beside her. She is off to a good start on her recovery!

As we have seen with other injured cubs (and yearlings) they need a lot of rest and sleep, as well as the good, nutritious food that ABR provides. We’re glad that her first couple of days are going well. Stay tuned for more news about Myrtle as well as the other cubs and yearling we are caring for.