It’s time to look back on 2025! Check our blog between Christmas and New Year’s for a variety of stories and memories of 2025 from the staff of the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
I began my journey at the Wildlife Center of Virginia in April. During the hiring process, the team emphasized that I would be a member of the Bear Care Team, and I looked forward to learning all about Black Bear rehabilitation. As the days passed, however, no cubs were admitted. Staff noted that it was unusual not to have received any bear calls by that point in the season.
Then, on May 2, the call finally came in: the Department of Wildlife Resources reported that a cub was on the way. While we always hope bear cubs remain healthy and in the wild, I have to admit I was very excited to work with my first cub (I may have even danced a little in excitement). Later that morning, Black Bear cub #25-1125 arrived.
He was tiny, weighing just 1.24 kg, and he was weak and sickly. Our rehabilitation intern, Aanya, assisted with his initial exam and gave him his first feeding. It wasn’t until late that afternoon that I finally got to interact with the cub, helping him drink from a bottle. More than food, he craved comfort, snuggling in our blanket, seeking warmth and sleep. With gentle patience and encouragement, though, I was eventually able to coax him into taking a little formula from the bottle.
The next morning, lo and behold, we had a second bear call! Black Bear cub #25-1199 was admitted, and I had the privilege of assisting with her intake. She was young, weighing 1.65 kgs, but she was feisty and wanted NOTHING to do with humans. Perfect! Attempting to bottle-feed her was the opposite of the boy, as she didn't want any human contact, but we couldn't feed her fast enough. She was quickly moved from bottle feeding to a bowl, and she thrived!
Sadly, the first cub did not thrive. We discovered he had congenital defects, and his body just couldn't process food, despite extensive efforts by both our veterinary team and the rehabilitation team. Ultimately, nature took its course, and the cub passed away (taking part of my heart with him).
Our female cub, on the other hand, grew by leaps and bounds. As she had no bear playmates, she tried to get her caretakers to play with her. She would climb the fencing and try to bat at my legs, reaching her paws out to grab my clothing. We provided a variety of enrichment opportunities for her, and everyone, the public included, had a wonderful time watching her antics on the Critter Cams. But she needed a friend.
After a great deal of worrying as the deadline for cub intakes drew to a close, Black Bear cub #25-2408 arrived on June 22. I had the privilege of assisting with her intake as well. Her full exam was extended over two separate days, as she was too sickly and injured on intake to receive her full exam. At one point, I helped provide a distraction as our Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Karra, examined her injuries—I wore bite-buster gloves and kept her head occupied by having her eat canned cat food out of my gloves. It was a magical experience.
Our two female cubs are now much bigger, fast friends, and thriving together in the Bear Complex. My description of these few days is only a fraction of all that has happened, but each of those days is a key memory that I will hold on to always. I can't wait to experience their release in the spring!
— Sarah Densmore, Wildlife Rehabilitator