The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Madden has taken in an emaciated black bear that was found wandering alone earlier this month near the town of Barrhead, Ab.
Communications Coordinator at AIWC Scottie Potter said he is just 15 kilograms (33 pounds) – which is significantly less than he should weigh at his age.
"This bear was all alone, no mother in sight to undergo hibernation with, and he was about a third of the weight he’d need to be to undergo hibernation," Potter said.
They estimate he is nine to ten months old.
Fish and Wildlife officers sedated him and brought him into the wildlife rehabilitation centre in Madden, where he will be slowly reintroduced to food so as not to cause metabolic shock.
At this time the cub is eating simple proteins like eggs, but Potter said the hope is to move him up to meats and eventually fruits and vegetables.
The cub will have to stay at the facility for several months and might potentially hibernate a bit while in their care.
“We don’t expect he will hibernate because he’s such a low weight, but there’s always a chance he will bed down for a week or two. Once he’s gained all the weight back and has cleared all his health checks, he’ll be released into the wild, probably in June,” Potter said.
