We are heartbroken to inform you that Flapjack Bear died yesterday at the facility from what appears to be a severe case of pneumonia in both lungs.
On Tuesday, Curator Cole noticed Flapjack seemed to be having difficulty breathing. The curators sent a video to Dr. Sheldon at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) and the doctors agreed Flapjack should receive medical attention. The curators devised a plan to isolate and capture Flapjack in an acclimation pen for transport to UTCVM. It required he be separated from his friends, so vacant Wild Enclosure #3 was readied. The next day, the very cooperative cubs crossed over from WE#4 to WE#3… except for Flapjack, who chose to remain behind. The curators baited the acclimation pen with fragrant treats to attract him, but Flapjack wouldn’t leave the center of the enclosure. On Friday, everyone agreed we couldn’t wait any longer; there was no choice but to dart Flapjack.
Darting a bear in an enclosure is a risky procedure; they can climb a tree, pass out, and fall. It is even more risky when the bear has difficulty breathing. Understanding the danger, the Team at UTVCM came to ABR and set up a field hospital in the Release Staging building and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service gave Ranger Ryan Williamson permission to dart Flapjack while in the enclosure. The darting was successful; Flapjack didn’t climb a tree although the team was prepared for that possibility and had nets at the ready.
The team rushed Flapjack to building #4 (The Release Staging Building) where the doctors immediately intubated him to provide oxygen and assist with breathing if necessary. Doctors took X-rays, blood, scat, and urine samples, and collected fluid from his lungs and tissue from his throat. X-rays showed he had severe pneumonia in both lungs. Doctors administered antibiotics.
The team moved Flapjack from the Release Staging building to the rooms of the Cub House to recover from the immobilization drugs. UTCVM doctors and ABR Curators sat in the Cub House with him to watch closely. However, Flapjack stopped breathing, and though doctors administered emergency drugs and did compressions, Flapjack could not be resuscitated.
UTCVM doctors will perform an emergency necropsy today and have sent all collected samples for evaluation. Our Curators baited Acclimation Pen #3 last night in anticipation of trapping the other four bears and taking them to UTCVM for evaluation. They and the doctors suspect the pneumonia is infectious and the other cubs could have the same problem. Our team is observing them carefully for any symptoms.
We’re grateful to the team from UTCVM, Ranger Ryan, and our dedicated Curators for trying to save Flapjack. We are indebted to you, our partners in our mission, for helping us offer our little bears the best care possible. We love them from a distance, but we love them fiercely. Rest in peace, Flapjack. 🐻🥞💔
This just came in, and rather than try to rewrite the article, we are taking the well-written account directly from the ABR Facebook page. Our FB Administrator, Ben, who lives in Canada(!)does an incredible job of daily reporting on our cubs. He gets the feeds from the various cams, from which he chooses which to post along with his lively commentary and explanation