We have commented during the past few weeks that the new generation of bear cubs is being born just as our cubs became yearlings. Usually ABR receives the first orphaned cub in March or April, when mama bears bring their cubs our of the den for the first time. However, due to the wild weather we have experienced recently (the first two storms featuring ferocious winds that brought down trees throughout the region, followed by snow and frigid temperatures) homeowners in Blount County TN lost a large tree on their property. They were able to go outside to begin the cleanup yesterday. Unbeknownst to them, a bear had taken advantage of the situation and created her den there. The noise of the chainsaw frightened the bear, who ran away. Soon thereafter, the people began to hear sounds, and when they investigated they found two very tiny neonate cubs! They wisely moved away, hoping that the mother would return, but after waiting as long as they felt was safe, they removed the cubs and took them inside to warm them. They called TWRA and ABR for help. Curators Haley and Tom were closest to the location, so they picked up the cubs and took them to UTCVM for care. Dr. Swanepoel and her team were ready when they arrived.
The doctors examined the tiny cubs and believe that they are healthy, but it goes without saying that they are far too young to be orphaned! ABR #390 weighs 13 ounces, and his brother #391 is just under 15 ounces. since bottles and syringes are completely foreign to little bears, it will take serious training to get them used to the strange delivery system. They spent the night in the ICU and the ICU team is spending today trying to accustom them to drinking from a bottle. When they get the hang of it, they will be transferred to the ABR Cub Nursery.
Meanwhile, the homeowners gave permission for our curators to set a trail camera at the site, to watch in the hope that the mother will return. If so, it may be possible to reunite the cubs with their biological mother. If that doesn’t work out, our Wildlife Agency partners will try to find a foster mother. Unquestionably, the best outcome for these two little guys would be to grow up as part of a bear family!
So cute, and yet so vulnerable at this time!
We are keeping our fingers crossed and our hands clasped in prayer that a bear mama (their own or a surrogate) can be found!