Just a few weeks ago, Persimmon Bear was hit by a car in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Rescued and brought to ABR after a checkup at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, it was uncertain whether the injured cub would live.  Not only did she survive, she has thrived under the care of the ABR curators – first in the Red Roof Recovery Center, then into the Acclimation Pen and finally into the Wild Enclosure.  As these photos show, she has made an amazing recovery.

Persimmon Bear forages in her enclosure.  Look how plump she is!

She climbs up to the unfinished platform. It will be completed after she leaves.

She doesn’t seem to mind that the platform is not complete.

Persimmon has excellent balance. She is a healthy, ten-month-old bear cub.

Persimmon is a healthy weight and should do well when she is released into the wild.