On January 2, a small Black Bear was found in a field in Augusta County. At first, the rescuer thought it was a stray dog trapped in a fenced area; upon closer inspection, the rescuer realized it was a small bear. He called the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; the bear was easily captured and transported to the Center on the morning of January 3.
Dr. Peach examined the young bear, which is likely about 11 months old. The female cub was extremely thin, with a body condition score of one out of five; the bear was also severely dehydrated. No fractures were found. The cub weighed 4.63 kg.
Dr. Peach gave the bear subcutaneous fluids and an iron injection; the bear also received a green identification tag in each ear before she was placed in a zinger crate in the Center's holding room. The bear will be offered a special canned diet that is highly digestible and formulated for animals in critical condition.