This bear cub is being raised by humans dressed as bears: “He wouldn’t have been able to survive on his own”
Caretakers at a humane society are using scented fur suits and bear masks to help one cub prepare for life out in the wild.
A group of caretakers at the San Diego Humane Society are going to extraordinary lengths in an attempt to help an orphaned black bear cub get up on its feet and out into the wild.
Caregivers dress up as bears to help cub
The cub was first discovered by campers in Los Padres National Forest in California in April, following which a search for his mother by biologists from the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife proved unsuccessful. Ultimately, he was taken in when he was two months old by the San Diego Humane Society, whose caregivers have dressed up as bears - gloves, fur suit, bear mask and all - to help prepare him for the real world.
“At that age, he would be with his mom 24/7 and not really venture away from the den,” said Autumn Welch, the society’s wildlife operations manager and one of the caretakers. “He definitely wouldn’t have been able to survive on his own, so he most likely will be in rehab for about a year.”
The danger of imprinting
If it weren’t for the bear costumes, it is believed the risk of the cub imprinting (i.e. recognizing humans as his parent, or parents) would be significantly higher, making his future integration into the wild more complicated.
The fur worn by the caretakers is stored in sealed containers with hay from a local wildlife sanctuary, where there are also bears. As a result, it has a black bear scent, making the costumes ever more believable.
Teddy bears help cub feel at home
Additionally, the cub’s enclosure is filled with donated furs, black bear-scented hay, trees and teddy bears, one of which he sleeps under, potentially thinking it’s his mother.
“This large teddy bear was something that provided him comfort,” Welch explains. “When we were not there, he would seek shelter by her, go rest against her, take naps all cuddled up with the bear.”
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