How orphaned bear cubs are rehabilitated to be released back into the wild
WAYNESBORO, Va. (WHSV/Gray News) - Every spring, American black bears stir from their deep sleep to forage for food.
It’s not uncommon for bear cubs to be left behind by the mother in this process. Many times, the mother will return if the cub is left undisturbed.
However, sometimes the mother does not return, or the bear cub is sick. In this case, the bear cubs may have to be rehabilitated.
The Department of Wildlife Resources asks anyone who finds a stray bear cub to call them first. Wildlife officers will then assess the situation and, in many cases, take the cub to a rehabilitator, like the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, Virginia.
This is where the Wildlife Rehabilitation Supervisor Alex Olvera and her team come in.
“As soon as the cub gets through our front door, our rehabilitation staff and veterinary team take over, the cub is immediately taken into a quiet exam room to let it kind of relax, because it’s obviously been through a traumatic event,” Olvera said.
After the veterinarians complete their exams, Olvera begins the rehabilitation process. She is one of only four individuals who can interact with the cubs from that point on.
The limited human with the cubs is for a crucial reason.
“We have very strict protocols about who gets to assess the bear physically if the bear is awake, because bears are very prone to habituation in captivity,” Olvera said.
Habituation is when an animal loses its fear of humans, and for the cubs, that’s the last thing they need in this process.
Olvera said this would be a “death sentence” for the cub.
“There are other options, like placement. However, for American black bears, placement is very difficult,” she said.
American black bears are very common, and combined with their long life spans, finding zoos with the space can be tough.
Olvera said she is confident in the work of her team, and placement is an option that will only occasionally be used.
“So every decision we make in of how we manage their care is for them to become independent,” she said. “So the way we treat them, the way we present their food, the way we manage pretty much any of their care is for them to become independent so they can be released back into the wild.”
The team is small and the work is hard, but she loves every second of it.
“It sounds super cool to say only four people can see the bears. But then, if you think about it, those are the only four people that get to do all their maintenance, their husbandry, or their care, alongside our other patients. So, it’s very taxing for the staff, but it’s very rewarding,” Olvera said.
Olvera said she and her team all love what they do.
“I think being part of the releases and seeing that process keeps us going here,” she said.
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