A young grizzly bear cub left on its own for weeks near Pink Mountain in Northeast B.C. is now safe after a successful rescue operation by a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Smithers.
The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter says it received permission from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship earlier this week to attempt a rescue after reports of an orphaned grizzly cub living on its own, near an industrial camp north of Fort St. John.
Shelter staff travelled to the area, but upon arrival were told a large black bear had been seen nearby and the cub had disappeared.
“We didn’t know if the cub had gone into hiding or if it had been preyed upon,” said Angelika Langen of the Smithers Wildlife Shelter.
The team initially set a trap, but soon discovered the black bear was attempting to access the bait. After consulting conservation officers, shelter staff closed the trap and waited to see if the young grizzly would return.
Their patience paid off.
On Saturday morning, camp staff spotted the cub again. After the trap was reset, the bear entered within 15 minutes and was safely secured.
According to Langen, the cub had been seen alone for at least three weeks before the rescue. Wildlife experts typically consider a grizzly cub orphaned if it has been separated from its mother for more than 48 hours.
The shelter says the cub was underweight and frightened when it arrived but is now receiving round-the-clock care.
“We don’t know what happened to the mother,” Langen said, adding there has been no confirmation whether the sow died from natural causes, a vehicle collision or another incident.
The young bear will remain at the shelter for about a year while it grows large enough to survive in the wild. The plan is to release the animal next summer with a radio collar so staff can monitor its progress for up to 18 months after release.
The rescue comes as wildlife rehabilitators prepare for what could be a busy season due to ongoing wildfire activity across parts of British Columbia.
The shelter says it typically cares for about 30 bears in a quieter year, but that number can climb to 100 or more during busy seasons. At one point, staff were caring for as many as 124 bears at the same time.
Langham also urged drivers across B.C. to slow down and stay alert, noting vehicle collisions are among the leading causes of injuries and deaths involving bears.
The Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter is funded through public donations and says support from residents helps make rescues like this one possible.