The second yearling, Daffodil Bear (ABR#287) went back to the wild on August 26th. As you know, the curators had initiated the passive capture protocol several days ago, and all three yearlings had become accustomed to going in and out of the Acclimation Pen, where their food was placed. In our last post we told about the release of Iris Bear, but in fact, Daffodil went into the Acclimation Pen at the same time as Iris. However, since Iris was a park bear and Daffodil was a TWRA bear, they could not be released together. Daffodil got her turn on the 26th.
In today’s post, we’ll reminisce about her time at ABR and show how the release preparation played out.
Daffodil was rescued on March 28th but had to spend several days in the ICU at UT College of Veterinary Medicine, due to her low weight (11.4 pounds at 15 months of age, malnutrition, dehydration, and a prolapsed rectum.
Daffodil was a very sick little bear. It was literally touch-and-go.
After five days in ICU, Daffodil was transferred to ABR and housed in the Cub Nursery.
At first, she could hardly lift her head to eat. She had to be on a very restricted diet. Slowly, she started to improve until she was able to eat the soft foods. She returned to UTCVM for the removal of her stitches. Back at ABR, she went into the Red Roof Recovery Center. It was a big day for her when she was able to eat solid food.
She proved to the curators that she was getting better by climbing up on the pen.Daffodil was moved to the Acclimation Pen for Wild Enclosure #3. On May 1st, she was released into Wild Enclosure #3, where Sweetie and Hartley were residing.She started to thrive in the natural habitat.
Hartley tried to woo her, but Daffodil was not interested.She swam in the Cubby Pool and ate the food that she found.After Hartley left, Daffodil and Sweetie Bear began to interact.
Iris joined them and gradually the three yearlings became friends.Daffodil kept growing. It was hard to remember how small and sick she had been.The time had come for all three to return to the wild.Daffodil was immobilized and taken to the release staging area.Curator Coy coordinated the release exam.Measuring and weighing – Daffodil weighed 84 pounds! Her paws were measured. Daffodil had a healthy mouth and good teeth. Even her nubbin was measured. (Bears have very short tails).Daffodil was loaded into the transport pen.The TWRA truck drove out of the gate on its way to the release site.Daffodil jumped down from the truck without hesitation.Our last view of her, running off into her new home.
And so the second of our yearlings has had her second chance and started her wild life. She is back where she belongs, and we wish her a long life in the wild.
