Bear cub rescued from woods is being raised by humans dressed as bears

[usonian]

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Bear cub rescued from woods is being raised by humans dressed as bears
© San Diego Humane Society

A tiny black bear cub was crying alone in the California woods, his mother nowhere in sight. He was less than two months old and weighed about three pounds.

Campers in Los Padres National Forest found the baby bear on April 12 and the camp grounds host reported him to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Initially, biologists monitored the environment, with the hope that the cub’s mother would return — but she did not. The cub couldn’t survive on his own in the wild, so he was brought to San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center.

When he arrived, the cub was “extremely fragile,” said Autumn Welch, wildlife operations manager at the center. “After going several days without nutrition, it was touch-and-go at first.”

Now, though, just over five weeks since he was rescued, the cub is thriving. He has gained nearly 10 pounds and has reached several developmental milestones — including learning to climb. The cub is the youngest black bear cub San Diego Humane Society has cared for.

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[Bayard]

1. That looks pretty freaky

Hooray for the baby, though.

[cloudbase]

2. Reminds me of this: