Bear/Cub Rescue and Care

Bear cubs may become orphaned for a number of reasons, sometimes due to human activities. Some of the more common reasons include conflict situations, vehicle accidents, commercial land-use activities, regulated and non-regulated hunting, weather events, and abandonment as a result of food shortages.

In some situations, orphaned bear cubs can be rescued from the wild and placed in wildlife care centres. These facilities, when operated by experienced persons, have demonstrated that bear cubs can be candidates for release back to the wild. Capturing and successfully rehabilitating cubs for release into the wild is a challenge, and not always possible. But when done correctly and under the right circumstances, studies show that rescued, cared for, and released American black bears have the ability to function behaviourally as wild bears. Survival rates for orphaned cubs do not differ substantially from those of wild cubs, and few animals become involved in conflict situations within one year of their release. In some cases where orphaned cubs cannot be released into the wild, they go to zoos or authorized sanctuaries.

If you are concerned for a bear or bear cub’s wellbeing, do not approach it or attempt to pick it up. Contact your local wildlife management agency, or a licensed wildlife rescue and/or rehabilitation facility.