- Admitted
- April 10, 2026
- Rescue Location
- Nottoway County
- Cause of Admission/Condition
- Suspected Orphan
- Status
- Current Patient
Last Updated
On April 10, the Wildlife Center admitted its fourth cub of 2026—a young female from Nottoway County. The cub was first seen alone in a backyard on April 5 and was left undisturbed to see if she would reunite with her mother. The cub was gone the next day, but four days later, she was found in a roadside culvert in the same area. Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources biologists determined that the cub was likely orphaned and transported her to the Center for care.
On admission, the cub was quiet but responsive and weighed in at 1.84kg. The veterinary team examined her and found that she was moderately dehydrated, in poor body condition, and had a small abscess on the bridge of her nose. Radiographs did not reveal any internal injuries, but bloodwork showed that the cub had a low total protein and other abnormalities consistent with going an extended time without food.
After the exam, the vet team started the cub on antibiotics to treat the abscess and prevent infection, as well as supportive care and fluids to rehydrate her. She is currently resting in the Center's expanded ICU, where staff have given her a stuffed animal to provide comfort and are feeding the cub three bottles of formula per day in addition to “mush bowls” of soft food.
The vet team will continue to monitor the cub's abscess and condition closely; if she improves, then she will later be placed with the Center's other Black Bear cubs to become part of the 2026 Black Bear cohort.