The San Diego Humane Society recently became the temporary home of an orphaned bear cub discovered by campers in the Los Padres National Forest. The campers reportedly came upon the cub, whose mother was absent, subsequently bringing it to the attention of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune.
Efforts to reunite the young cub with its mother proved unsuccessful after he was left overnight in the forest without her return, leading to his relocation to the humane society's Ramona Wildlife Center, where he began what has been an astonishing recovery, he was so weak upon arrival, staff described his condition as "touch and go," yet now the cub has shown improvement, initiating climbing activities, a positive sign indicating growth and strength. "He's the youngest and smallest, so it's been amazing just watching him grow and learn over the past month," Autumn Welch, the center's wildlife operations manager, told The San Diego Union-Tribune.
To minimize human imprinting, caregivers use bear masks and fur coats to interact with the cub, aiming to prevent the bear from bonding with humans, an interesting detail not often considered in wildlife rehabilitation efforts. According to an Instagram post from the San Diego Humane Society, the specialists at the center wear bear suits for feeding and enrichment sessions, and the goal is squarely focused on returning the cub to the wild.
The Ramona Wildlife Center staff also introduced teddy bears to provide comfort and simulate the physical interaction the cub would typically receive from his family in the wild. This approach serves as another creative method by the center to ensure that the cub develops the skills and behaviors necessary to thrive once released back into nature. A statement from the San Diego Humane Society's Instagram underscores the dedication of their Project Wildlife team, highlighting the privilege of being able to contribute to the cub's return to the wild. If another orphaned bear cub comes into care, the center may attempt to foster a pseudo-sibling relationship to promote wild behaviors appropriate for survival further.
