On June 12, a female Black Bear cub was admitted to the Wildlife Center from Shenandoah County. The cub had been seen by a homeowner for several days; when it appeared that the cub was without a sow, the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries trapped the cub.
Dr. Dana, the Center’s veterinary intern, examined the cub upon admission. According to Dr. Dana, the bear was bright, alert, and “very feisty, swatting and biting to avoid restraint”. The cub was sedated for a full physical exam; the cub was dehydrated and covered in ticks, but had no significant injuries. Blood work was within normal limits with the exception of a slightly low total protein. The cub weighed 4.0 kg and had a body condition score of 2.5/5.
Dr. Dana treated the cub with subcutaneous fluids and an anti-parasitic medication and placed a yellow identification tag in the cub’s right ear. The cub was moved to the Large Mammal Isolation enclosure in a zinger crate for a gradual introduction to the three other Black Bear cubs. Dr. Kelli anticipates that the new cub will directly meet the other three cubs on Tuesday, June 14.