Our third yearling, Sweetie Bear, was released on the same day as Daffodil, but later in the day. It happened that as soon as Daffodil had left, Sweetie decided to enter the Acclimation Pen and the release procedure was reactivated. As we have done with the previous two releases, we’ll recall her time at ABR and show how the release protocol played out.
Sweetie was rescued on March 19th as a small, sickly little 15-month-old yearling bear.
Sweetie before her rescue – cute but very tiny for her age. People were concerned about the little bear and reported her to officers. As usual, she was taken to the UT Vet School for examination. Because she was so small and weak, she was placed in the Cub Nursery for a week. She slowly started to get better. She was a neat housekeeper, wrapping her scat and her empty food bowl in her blanket. Sweetie showed that she was ready to leave the Cub Nursery. Her next stop was the Red Roof Recovery Center where she had more room and a nice bed. From the Recovery Center to the Acclimation Pen, and on April 12th she entered Wild Enclosure #3, to join Hartley Bear. Sweetie enjoyed the Wild Enclosure, but avoided Hartley. She loved to swim in the Cubby Pool.Day and night, Sweetie thrived. Hartley was persistent, and Sweetie came to tolerate him, even having a late-night meeting. Though she was a small bear, Sweetie grew. Through the summer she grew some more. And continued to grow strong and healthy. After Hartley left, Sweetie and Daffodil became friends. When Iris Bear joined them, the three yearlings spent a lot of time together. All three yearlings were ready to go back to the wild. An immobilized Sweetie is carried to the release staging area.
Her vital signs were monitored during the release exam.She was overheating, so she was placed on frozen towels, with frozen berries on her tummy.Her teeth were in great condition. Curator Tom measured Sweetie. Her neck was measured. As usual, her eyes were covered to prevent them from drying out.Sweetie’s foot.
Sweetie’s stats were recorded. It was time for Sweetie to get into the truck. Into the transport pen she went. Transfer papers were signed. At the release site, Sweetie bolted from the pen.Off she went into the woods without a backward glance. Goodbye, Sweetie Bear!
Sweetie Bear weighed just 9.735 pounds at 15 months on arrival. When she was released at 19 months, she weighed 64 pounds! Although that is less than the other two yearlings weighed, Sweetie was always a smaller bear. She gained over 50 pounds during her stay at ABR.
Now all of the yearlings have returned to the wild for their second chance at life. We wish them healthy, happy wild lives. Stay safe, Sweetie, Daffodil, and Iris!
