ORPHANED BLACK BEAR CUB ARRIVES FROM VALDEZ, ALASKA

On a cold winter morning in Valdez Alaska, an Alaskan resident walked outside to find a hungry black bear cub rummaging through his garbage looking for food in two feet of snow. With no mother in sight, an obvious sign this frightened cub needed some help, the resident was able to get the motherless bear into a dog carrier in his garage. He then contacted the Alaska Department of Fish and Game who made arrangements for him to be picked up. With the help of Shana Anderson, Manager of the Animal Shelter Facility in Valdez, the cub was then taken to the Alaska Zoo until a permanent home was found for him. If one could not be found, the helpless cub was to be euthanized. IEAS received word that this vulnerable bear cub needed a new home and immediately contacted the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to offer assistance. With the help of the Dallas Zoo, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Humane Society of the United States, a letter campaign to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game began to have them release the innocent baby bear to IEAS. With all this wonderful support, plus the Alaska Department determining that IEAS was indeed an excellent facility, they agreed to send the bear cub to the Sanctuary. With the assistance of Shannon Jenson, Curator of the Alaska Zoo, the little cub boarded a plane in Anchorage Alaska and arrived in Texas where he was met by the Staff of IEAS to take him on his final trip to his new home. This once doomed bear cub now has a second lease on life and will have the best quality of life possible in captivity!

The orphaned bear cub arrived at IEAS on January 15^th. He is being kept in our quarantine area until he is settled and comfortable with his surroundings. Now, during the morning hours and late evening, you will see him sitting on his high perch watching everything around him. He is taking it all in and has come a long way in just a few days. He is even taking grapes from Louis, Animal Behaviorist, and Christi, Curator/Asst. Behaviorist, as they visit with him throughout the day. He already seems to long for attention; whenever Louis or Christi spend time with him, he comes right over and tries to get into their lap. Using our Emotional Enrichment Program, Louis and Christi will provide this cub with the security, comfort and affection he once received from his mother.

Eventually he will be taken down to one of the holding areas of Bear Orphanage: a beautiful, naturalistic, five-acre habitat that consists of forest and meadow areas along with ponds and dens, which are all part of the natural ecosystem for the bear. There he will be next to three other orphaned bears that IEAS rescued last year. They are all about the same age, so one day, in the near future, they will all form a bond and start hanging out together. They will become a social unit as have our other four rescued black bears.

Donations to help take care of this adorable bear are appreciated. He has been through a lot these past few months and needs your help! I know times are hard with the economy, but any amount or help you are able to give to help this cub will enable him to receive the best quality of life possible in captivity.