Remembering 2019 - Appalachian Bear Rescue

As the new year starts, and all of the cubs and yearlings have been released with the exception of the three who are spending the winter, we want to take a look back at the bears that came to ABR during 2019. The first picture of each is how they looked when they came; the second photo is at the time of their release.

Hartley Bear, a yearling from Kentucky, arrived on Valentine’s Day. He was sadly malnourished to the point of losing most of his fur. It was doubtful that he would survive.

The two tiny cubs from Louisiana, Boudreaux and Beignet, were next. The photo on the right is recent, as you know they are spending the winter and will be return to LA in spring.

Sweetie Bear. another yearling, was next. She thrived at ABR and was released after five months in our care.

Oliver Bear was a yearling who sadly did not make it.

The next yearling, Daffodil, was so sick that she spent time in the ICU at UT vet school. She was a miracle bear, who did survive and thrived until her release as a healthy 7-month-old.

Another sad story – the yearling, Tulip Bear, could not be saved.

The Beary Triplets, cubs of the year, were our next residents. They were released in December.

The next yearling success story was Iris Bear. She was with us for three months, and was released in August.

Sibling cubs Dandelion and her brother Bentley arrived in June. Dandelion was very small but feisty. They were released in December.

Jessamine Bear, from South Carolina, arrived next. She is staying for the winter, along with the Louisiana twins.

Marigold and Bluebelle were sisters who were rescued in July. They enjoyed each other’s company, and were released in December.

A sad note on which to end – Lyon Bear was the last cub to arrive in 2019. He survived only one day at ABR, so the image is of him as we hope he is now – running free.

This was the year 2019 at ABR. There were highs and lows, fortunately very few lows. And now we are learning about bears and their preparations for hibernation. Each day the three remaining cubs teach us more.