As you know, ABR has had two cub releases in the past couple of weeks.  The other four cubs that shared Wild Enclosure 3 with Aster had been trapped and subsequently released back into the wild.  Although she had the chance to be released twice with other cubs, Aster had preferred to stay up in her tree.  But at last, on December 11th Aster had her release day.  First, we’ll look at a few photos of Aster during her stay with us.

She was found in September after being hit by a car.  Passersby tried to move what they thought was a cub’s body, and found that she was alive.  After they called the authorities, Aster went to the UT vet school, where it was found that she had a jaw injury requiring stitches, but no broken bones.

Aster was found on the side of the road.

She had some fur shaved off her leg for the IV, so she had a “one sock on” look for a while.

Aster with shaved leg.

In the Wild Enclosure, Aster dept her distance from the other cubs.

She was growing and getting better.  She proved that her jaw was no longer a problem.

Aster showed that she could eat an apple with ease.

This photo was taken on one of the other recent release dates.  Aster did not come down.

Aster liked being in the tree.

But she was finally captured, and the following photos show her workup for release.

Aster is carried to the workup area.

Aster weighed 51.5 pounds. She is a smaller bear.

Her weight, though less than the other cubs, is sufficient to sustain her through the winter.  She is simply a smaller bear.

She has beautiful, healthy fur.

Her jaw had healed completely.

Paws were checked and measured.

A GPS collar was fastened on.

Aster was transferred into the carrier on the truck.

She was waking up.

The door was closed. It was time to go.

Off she goes to her home in the wild.

As always, when we say goodbye to one of our cubs, we hope that she lives a long and happy life as the wild bear she was meant to be.  Goodbye, Aster!