Happy Hartley Bear - Appalachian Bear Rescue

Hartley Bear, our Kentucky yearling came to us on Valentine’s Day weighing about one-fourth of what a yearling should weigh. He was on the verge of starvation and suffered from alopecia (hair loss) due to his malnourished condition. He continued to lose fur during his first weeks at ABR, and became a “bare” bear. Amazingly, after just six weeks his fur was growing back, and on March 29th he was released into a Wild Enclosure! This made everyone , especially Hartley, very happy indeed. Here is the story in photos of his release into Wild Enclosure #3.

Hartley Bear, with fur on his face, showed he was ready to go out.

Curators Coy, Janet, and Tom weigh Hartley. He voices his displeasure.

Hartley weighed 41.6 pounds! He had gained 32 pounds at ABR!

The Cubmobile took Hartley to the Wild Enclosure.

Wasting no time, Hartley dashes out of the Acclimation Pen.

He found food that had been thrown into the enclosure and started to forage.

We are happy along with Hartley Bear that he is now in a habitat that is more to his liking. Here, he will continue to eat, explore, climb, and grow. In a few months he will be ready for release back into Kentucky. Go, Hartley!