The Virginian-Pilot
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WAYNESBORO
One of the black bear cubs rescued from a Suffolk tree this week was found dead in his enclosure at the Wildlife Center of Virginia on Thursday.
Veterinarians examined the cubs at the center Tuesday after their mother was killed by a car as she crossed U.S. 58 on Monday morning. Authorities had tranquilized the cubs to remove them from a tree in the road's median. One climbed down, while the other climbed higher and fell asleep.
Randy Huwa, executive vice president of the wildlife center, said the center does not know why the cub, described as the smaller and quieter of the two, died. According to the center's website, the cubs appeared to be doing fine Wednesday. Biologists and the center's staff wanted them to gain weight before they were released. Both weighed about 20 pounds.
The second cub, which took a 40-foot tumble after he was pried loose from the tree, is being monitored by the wildlife center's staff.
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Please check resources
Please check resources before commenting negatively. WCV is staffed by caring professionals dedicated to rescue, medical care, rehab, release, education. They have training programs that include vet staff from many countries. Outreach education, classroom education, and yes online programs. Well respected for 30+ years and still growing. Whether positive or negative outcome, rest assured the staff has done everything humanly possible. I have shared both joy & tears with these wonderful folks.
WCV is a recognized clinic
WCV is a recognized clinic with top-notch professional staff. Yes, their president begs for money at the drop of a hat, but this is a dedicated group of people who go above and beyond to help Virginia's injured and orphaned wildlife. These are the same people who took in the orphaned eaglets from the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Get to know them and you will see they are dedicated to their animal charges and are probably devastated over the loss of this cub.
well intentioned...
...but another unpreprepared "wildlife".org (all the way out in Waynesboro?!) doing more harm than good.
Rescues are good when they are cute, have names and photos and work out to bring in more $$ via press releases and grants. Many times, these orgs are ill-prepared to actually care for the animals they "rescue."
Very sad. Bear cubs were better off in the tree than in Waynesboro.
Unprepared?
Seriously? Do you even know anything about the Wildlife Center? They're not some fly-by-night rescue organization. Do a little research before making such a statement.
Last Bear.
The bears mother and brother are dead. The bear died of a broken heart.
BE CAREFUL
The Humane Society WILL DEMAND A LAW AGAINST THIS.
We're from the government and we're here to help.
Nuff said. Think twice on that 911 speed dial.
So to recap, the adult bear
So to recap, the adult bear was hit by a car. One of the cubs is dead and the one, remaining cub fell 40 ft to the ground! What a poor rescue sequence by the responders.
A 40 foot 'TUMBLE' ?
I wouldn't call a 40 foot fall a 'tumble'. If a 20 lb child fell 40 feet, what would their injuries be? Must be a safer, more humane way to get these creatures down. How about a net.. or, if it was 'asleep', perhaps a harness? Sad. SAd. SAd.