In our last post we told you about wild cubs and how they are starving due to the lack of natural food in the wild.  It is truly a struggle for them to stay alive.  More proof of this fact came with the arrival of two more malnourished and dehydrated cubs – #225, nicknamed Flora and #226, nicknamed Tiny Tim.  Usually when we get two cubs on the same day they are siblings, but this was not the case with these two.  They were separate rescues.

Flora Bear was found eating the remains of a dead rabbit at the side of the road.  She was taken to the UTCVM for her exam, and was given worm medicine.  She didn’t require antibiotics.

Flora Bear at the UT vet school, being checked out by the team of vets.

Back at ABR, she was transferred to an outdoor acclimation pen.

Flora Bear in an outdoor acclimation pen.

Flora is a feisty, wild cub. Though she only weighs 10 pounds, she seems to have a strong will to live.   The fact that she was eating a dead rabbit is perfectly normal, as bears feed on carrion when available.  However, the other foods that she and other bears need are simply not available, and this late in the year the food supply is diminishing,leaving bears and cubs without adequate food for their needs.

Cub #226, Tiny Tim, was found in a tree in someone’s backyard.  He was rescued and taken to the UT vet school also.  Tiny Tim weighed 11 pounds and was also malnourished and dehydrated.  He was transferred into the Cub Nursery for an overnight stay.  After eating a bit of applesauce and drinking some water, he curled up to take a nap.

Tiny Tim Bear in the Cub Nursery.

All of these recent arrivals are malnourished, dehydrated, and of very low weights for cubs that are nine months old.  We hope to see each of them gain weight and thrive in the safety of ABR.