BOISE, Idaho — Alice, a black bear cub found trying to find shelter under porches in Kelly, Wyoming, has found a home with Idaho Black Bear Rehab (IBBR) through the winter.
The rehabilitation center acquired Alice on Wednesday, Dec. 20 and the staff are still learning about her story. The cub was stuck in a tree, and a park ranger helped her down but the mama bear was no longer in the area. Kelly residents observed her behavior over the course of approximately a week and when it became clear that she wasn’t likely to survive the winter on her own, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) called IBBR and acquired a permit for interstate transportation of live wildlife.
Now a resident at IBBR, Alice is a bit underweight and her paw pads have some surface wounds, but she is resting, eating and her feet are healing. Amy Kidwell, President of IBBR, is watching Alice on a remote camera as she acclimates to her new space.
“She has a cozy den, it’s dark and comfortable, and if she wants to sleep for the winter, there’s a spot for that,” Kidwell told Buckrail.
Kidwell shared that Alice is gaining weight and looks healthy, and there is no real need to sedate her for hibernation. IBBR explains that young cubs generally slow down during cold months and they anticipate that Alice will be up and down throughout the long winter.
According to Kidwell, WGFD plans to release Alice back into the Wyoming wilderness this summer 2024.
IBBR is not open to the public. Updates and Alice’s progress can be seen on IBBR’s website.
Related Posts
