While preparing a fawn for air transport to Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley, Powell River Orphaned Wildlife Society president Merrilee Prior got a call about a black bear cub at Lang Bay.
A few days earlier, a resident noticed a commotion and saw a small bear cub being attacked by an older bear. The older bear ran off, as did the mother and two more cubs.
Three days later, the emaciated cub was seen alone, and Merrilee enlisted the rescuer’s help to call Critter Care and secure a place for this abandoned bear. Once that was settled, the rescuer next needed to inform BC Conservation Officer Service of the arrangement. This invaluable helper also managed to place a blanket over the cub and herd it into a cat cage, noticing it was limping badly.
By this point Merrilee had caged the fawn, carried it to her vehicle and was ready to head to Lang Bay to pick up the cub, not knowing how she could do that and also arrive at Pacific Coastal Airlines in time to catch the morning departure. Fortunately, conservation officer Andrew Anaka phoned to say he could pick the cub up and bring it to the airport. Both arrived just in time.
Critter Care had arranged for the cub to see a vet right away and it was determined this little one was the runt of the litter and had been abandoned by the mother when injured. While there were no obvious punctures, the young bear was put on the critical list as he was so weak.
Upon recovery, the bear cub will be released outside of Powell River.
Contributed photo
