An adorable bear cub who was discovered abandoned and starving in a California forest is now thriving in his new shelter, where he receives round-the-clock care.
The two-month-old male arrived to the shelter ‘weak, underweight and alone,’ according to the San Diego Humane Society.
Campers in Los Padres National Forest discovered the orphaned black bear cub on April 12.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) biologists tried to reunite the baby with his mother by returning him to the wild overnight.
However, she did not return for him, and with no signs of a mama bear in the area, the cub was transported to San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center on April 14.
‘He was extremely fragile when he arrived,’ said Autumn Welch, Wildlife Operations Manager at the center.
‘This is a very unusual case. We don’t often see bears this young without their mother.’
The baby bear had health problems, and, combined with his young age, his caregivers were worried he might not make it.
The two-month-old male black bear cub arrived at the shelter ‘weak, underweight and alone’ after being orphaned in the forest
Photos from the enrichment sessions show staff wearing hilarious wildlife costumes and mimicking maternal behaviors
The baby bear had concerning health problems, and combined with his young age, his caregivers were worried he might not make it
‘After going several days without nutrition, it was touch-and-go at first,’ Welch said. ‘But now, he’s active, eating well and gaining weight steadily.’
The humane society said the bear receives four enrichment and feeding sessions daily, with overnight feedings required in his early days to help stabilize him.
Photos from the enrichment sessions show staff wearing hilarious wildlife costumes and mimicking maternal behaviors.
The shelter said they wear the costumes to prevent him from imprinting and forming an emotional attachment to humans.
Other snaps show the adorable cub playing with toys, chewing on leaves and drinking from a bottle.
The San Diego Humane Society said it does not receive state funding and depends on community contributions to care for wild animals in need.
‘It’s an honor to care for him, but it’s also a significant commitment. We rely entirely on donations to make this kind of specialized care possible,’ Welch said.
The CDFW said he is only the fourth bear cub this young to enter rehab care in California in the past five years.
The humane society said the bear receives four enrichment and feeding sessions each day
Other snaps show the adorable cub playing with toys, chewing on leaves and drinking from a bottle
Male black bears can grow up to be 500 pounds and have powerful limbs and well-developed claws on large, strong paws.
The caregivers expect him to remain with them for up to a year and hope to release the bear cub back into the wild one day.
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America’s cutest bear cub is thriving in shelter after being abandoned by his mother