ABR bear #426, nicknamed Phoenix due to his injuries and the burns on his face, was rescued on November 30th. Several citizens in the Gatlinburg area reported seeing the injured cub during the days before his rescue. Because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, the Gatlinburg Police, TWRA, and ABR were short staffed, but Ranger Ryan Williamson was able to get to the cub and performed the rescue, meeting ABR Operations Director Greg Grieco, who picked up the little cub and transported him to the facility.
Little Phoenix Bear drank some bear milk replacement formula and spent the night in the HRH 4000 Carrier in The Cub Nursery.
We will follow up in our next post, to report on his exam at the UTCVM and his prognosis. Watch this space.