We promised to bring you up to date on the two cubs who were admitted while we were gone. The first one was #402, nicknamed Puff Bear because she was found near the famous “Tail of the Dragon,” a winding road that is a favorite of motorcyclists. On May 29th, GSMNP Biologist Ryan Williamson had arrived to find a small cub who had been hit by a vehicle and was weak and walking in circles (this is never a good sign). The cub was so weak that he could pick it up with gloved hands.After giving it some water, he took the cub to the UTCVM where he met ABR Ops Mgr Greg Greico. The cub is a female about four months old. When Dr. Sheldon and her team examined her, they saw that her skull seemed not to be symmetrical, a possible sign of hydrocephalus, which would be a death sentence. However, a full body X-ray and CT scan ruled out hydrocephalus. She does have skull fractures, probably caused by a collision with a car or motorcycle, and a gas bubble in the brain. She also had a fracture at the jaw/zygomatic arch junction and the doctors had to pull a couple of broken teeth. Her adult teeth should grow in normally. She spent the night in the ICU at UTCVM so she could be on IV antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory to prevent brain swelling.
ABR #402 – nicknamed Puff Bear, for the Tail of the Dragon where she was found (remember Puff, the Magic Dragon?) Puff weighed in at 6.24 pounds, a good weight for a wild, four-month-old cub.
#403 – May 30, 2024
A day after Puff was rescued, another cub was hit by a vehicle, this time in Sevier County, Tennessee. A citizen had found the little cub on the road, moved it to the side of the road, and called TWRA. When the officer arrived, the cub was alive, but not alert. Officer Hardwick took the cub to the UTCVM and Dr. Kendall and her team were able to conduct the entire exam, including radiology, without sedation drugs. The cub is a male and weighed 6.61 pounds. There were no broken bones; just a couple missing/broken incisors. The little cub was likely in shock, but after fluids were administered he was able to stand and lap formula from a bowl. Though still dazed, the cub was permitted to go back to ABR with Curator Katrina. They arrived after midnight, and with the help of Curator Tom, the cub was put on a cubby bed in Hartley House. He slept soundly until about 4:00 a.m., when he stirred a bit and ate some formula with berries, then went back to sleep.
Bear #403 is nicknamed Jackie P, after the friend of Puff the Magic Dragon.
#403 – Jackie P Bear.
Now we are up to date with our 10 Class of 2024 cubs! Stay tuned!