On April 6, the Wildlife Center admitted a very unusual patient – a young bear cub. The Wildlife Center does treat Black Bears, but this cub is suspected to be a Syrian Brown Bear cub, which was confiscated from a person in Maryland. The case is under investigation.
Syrian Brown Bears are a subspecies of the Brown Bear and are native to Eurasia. Habitat loss and poaching have caused the Syrian Brown Bear population to decline; this species can no longer be found in many countries that were once within its range. These threatened bears can grow to be 550 pounds. Brown bears are omnivorous and eat a variety of plant matter, insects, small mammals, and carrion.
The Wildlife Center will be sending a DNA test to an outside laboratory to confirm that the cub is a Syrian bear, if possible. Once more information is known, the Center will seek placement at a reputable zoo that is well-equipped to handle this particular species. All arrangements for placement will be made by the Wildlife Center, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and/or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. VDGIF and the Wildlife Center asks that Center supporters not contact zoos in an effort to find placement for the cub.
While DNA tests and the investigation is occurring, the female cub is being housed in the Center’s bear pen. She appears to be healthy; the rehabilitation staff is bottle-feeding her four times a day.