Two orphaned black bear cubs explore their new temporary home. (Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society/Project Wildlife)
Three orphaned black bear cubs were brought to the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona campus after being rescued in Calaveras County by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The three orphaned siblings, approximately 6 to 7 months old, had been seen wandering alone in a neighborhood for several days.
Two orphaned black bear cubs explore their new temporary home. (Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society/Project Wildlife)
A veterinary team with the center performed a health evaluation under anesthesia a week after their discovery, which included dental exams and other diagnostics to assess their condition.
The team identified the cubs as two males and one female. However, veterinarians said that the female cub suffered from a malformed shoulder and elbow, likely caused at birth, as well as a bullet wound. The deformities would have caused her “chronic pain and lifelong mobility issues,” they added.
After a discussion with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Humane Society’s veterinary team said that they decided to humanely euthanize her to prevent “prolonged suffering,” society officials said.
“This is never a decision we take lightly,” said Dr. Alexis Wohl, Wildlife Veterinary Manager at San Diego Humane Society. “But in cases where an animal’s quality of life would be severely compromised, humane euthanasia is sometimes the most compassionate option.”
Their mother was never located, and her fate remains unknown.
The two male cubs were reported healthy and were moved to a large outdoor enclosure designed to mimic their natural habitat.
Two orphaned black bear cubs explore their new temporary home. (Photo courtesy San Diego Humane Society/Project Wildlife)
The Humane Society’s Project Wildlife team will continue to care for them as they grow stronger and prepare for potential release back into the wild, officials said.
“This is a critical moment for these bears,” Autumn Welch said, Wildlife Operations Manager at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center. “We are doing everything we can to give them the best possible shot at returning to their wild home.”
The Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center is the only current facility in the state that accepts black bear cubs for rehabilitation. The Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue and Gold Country Wildlife Rescue were at full capacity and could not receive the cubs.
The San Diego Humane Society receives no state funding for its wildlife work and relies entirely on donations to support its efforts.
City News Service contributed to this report.