The work goes on – now the curators are focusing on Wild Enclosure #2.
In the Acclimation Pen, the first step is to heat the floor. That’s what Curator Seth is doing here.
Meanwhile, Curator Greg is power washing the plastic sheets on the fences. It’s a multi-step process, involving bleach, rinsing, and Rescue solution.
Curator Seth dramatically tries to start the fire with a magic wand.
A less dramatic way is better. Seth is wearing fire resistant clothing, which is now a requirement for anyone using fire t ABR.
Curator Katrina scrubs the outside of an Acclimation Pen.
Seth showed his artistic talent when he “drew” this bear with the power washer.
Here is Enclosure #2, where all of this work is happening.
There’s a lot to do, but the curators motto is “Git-er-done!”
Now, a look back at a 2015 bear, Acorn.
Acorn hid up between the ceiling and walls in The Cub House.
She was about 10 months old, and had a leg wound that was treated at UTCVM.
Even in the Wild Enclosure, she was shy and seldom seen.
Until she finally appeared, looking like a teddy bear stuck in a tree!
Then the curators noticed a lump on her abdomen.
At UTCVM they discovered a hernia.
Her tummy was shaved.
She had a successful surgery to remove the hernia.
She came back to recuperate and so curators could monitor her condition.
She made a quick recovery. On April 11, she was released, weighing 70 pounds!
Another ABR success story. We hope that Acorn is out there still and doing well.