When it comes to going above and beyond for an animal that is in need, the staff at the San Diego Humane Society truly goes above and beyond what is expected of them. As of late, staff members have been dressing up in bear costumes in order to provide care for a young black bear cub that is really vulnerable. This is a particularly wonderful approach. By employing this unconventional yet considerate strategy, the cub is prevented from developing an excessive attachment to people, which is an essential step in guaranteeing that it will eventually be able to thrive in its native home.
Under extremely difficult circumstances, the cub, which was only two months old at the time, arrived at the Ramona Wildlife Centre. On April 12, campers in the Los Padres National Forest came across the young bear, which was frail, underweight, and unaccompanied by any other animals. In spite of the fact that wildlife officials made multiple attempts to reunite the youngster with its mother in the wild, it became abundantly evident that the cub need the assistance of humans in order to survive. On April 14, biologists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife carried the vulnerable cub to the facility that is owned and operated by the humane organization.
This little cub is the youngest animal that the San Diego Humane Society has ever cared for in its entire existence. In the past five years, there have been just four cubs of this age who have been admitted to rehabilitation facilities across the state. The team quickly became aware of the enormous responsibility that lay ahead.
Autumn Welch, who is the Wildlife Operations Manager at the Ramona centre, stated that “our team knew this was a critical moment to give this little one a real chance at life.” These words were spoken by the team. At the time of his arrival, he was in a very delicate state. A number of days had passed since he had last had any food, and for a while, his condition was precarious. On the other hand, he is now active, eating well, and his weight is constantly increasing.
The development of the cub has progressed significantly over the course of the past month. Despite its lively and inquisitive nature, it is rapidly gaining strength. The crew is aware of the delicate balance that must be maintained between giving care for the bear and allowing it to preserve its natural inclinations, despite the wonderful progress that has been made. The bear suits are what come into play at this point.
The employees put on life-sized bear costumes during feedings and contact with the cubs in order to reduce the likelihood of the cub becoming imprinted by humans, which could put the cub’s capacity to live in the wild at risk. This is done in order to simulate the behaviours and presence of a mother without subjecting the cub to an excessive amount of human faces and noises.
The cub is able to link care and comfort with something wild and familiar rather than with humans, according to Welch, who stated that wearing the bear outfits helps the cub. “This is a one-of-a-kind approach to bridging that gap and getting him ready for life in the natural world.”
Additionally, the bear’s daily routine consists of four enrichment and feeding sessions that are aimed to teach skills that are essential for survival. These sessions are in addition to the costumes. The cub use jungle gyms, investigates toys, and is provided with a substantial amount of playtime in order to develop its strength and agility.
The San Diego Humane Society has committed to providing care for this cub for a period of up to one year, during which time they will carefully monitor his behaviour and health. Over the course of time, the objective is to get him ready to go back into the wild, where he will be powerful and able to take care of himself.
The experts in wildlife conservation also intend to pair this cub with another orphaned bear in the event that one becomes available. According to statements made by the humane society, “having a companion helps reduce human dependency and encourages natural social behaviours.” In the process of rehabilitating orphaned cubs across the state of California, this method is an essential component.
The task of bringing up such a young wild animal is not an easy one. Extraordinary amounts of time, resources, and expertise are required for it. The Ramona Wildlife Centre has a staff that is so committed to their work that they believe every moment is worth it. They are aware of the delicate nature of the life that has been entrusted to them and the significance of assisting it in maturing into a bear that is free and self-sufficient.
There have been several heartwarming moments captured on video recordings that have been uploaded on the Instagram account of the organization. These moments include the cub playing on its improvised jungle gym, engaging softly with plush bear toys, and exploring its habitat with increasing confidence. As the cub continues on his trip, these glimpses of his progress provide everyone who is watching him with hope and delight.
The unique approach taken by the San Diego Humane Society serves as a potent reminder of the lengths that people are willing to go to in order to protect and conserve animals. This is especially true as the cub continues to develop and get ready for its eventual release. The act of dressing up in bear suits may appear to be unique, but for this cub, it is a means of survival—a connection between being held captive and being free.
