As you know, ABR is currently housing twenty-six, seven-month-old cubs. On August 28th, however, we received our first yearling of 2024! Found in the Tremont area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, he was rescued by Wildlife Biologist Ryan Williamson, who took him to ABR and with Curator Greg took the little bear to UTCVM. Dr. Sheldon and her team examined the male yearling who weighs just 26 pounds (remember that #420 Meadow Bear weighed 25 pounds as a cub when rescued just a few days ago). Ryan nicknamed the little bear Spruce, for the spruce flats area where he was found. Spruce Bear had severe cuts on his gums, upper lips, and snout, but fortunately, his teeth are all right. It would seem that he had been injured very recently by another animal. Dr. Sheldon stitched up the cuts and administered a long-lasting antibiotic, then released him to ABR.
Spruce will be on the usual deworming medicine, and on a soft food diet as he recovers in the ABR Recovery Center. It is expected that when he heals and is rid of any parasites that are robbing him of the nutrients in his food he will gain weight rapidly. When that happens, with the approval of the vets at UTCVM, he will be released back into the wild, without transitioning through a Wild Enclosure. We are optimistic that Spruce will make a rapid recovery and soon be back where he belongs.
Spruce Bear – where he was found.
Examination at UT by Dr. Sheldon.
Dr. Sheldon stitches the injuries on Spruce Bear’s mouth.
He’s stitched up and ready to go.
Meanwhile, back at ABR, here is a shot of all six cubs (including newly added Meadow) in Enclosure 1. Meadow hasn’t joined them yet, but we feel sure it will happen soon.
!Two of the cubs in Enclosure 2 getting friendly.
So this changes the dynamic. Watch this space to see the next developments