VIRGINIA, USA — The Wildlife Center of Virginia rescued three black bear cubs who were abandoned when their home was destroyed in Orange County on Valentine's Day.
In a Facebook post on Friday, wildlife officials said two of the bears — a girl and a boy — are healthy despite having mild skin lesions likely due to ringworm. Meanwhile the third, another boy, has a "significant" laceration on one of his hind legs.
"The leg was very swollen, and vet staff are concerned that the cub's nerves or joints might be damaged," according to the center's website. "The vet team bandaged the cub's leg, and are providing pain medication to keep him comfortable. Because of the cub's young age, his bones have not fully ossified and the team doesn't immediately understand the extent of the damage, but his prognosis is grave."
3 orphaned bear cubs rescued
The trio is receiving 24/7 care, with bottle feedings every six hours.
"We're working with DWR biologists and hope that a wild foster mother can be found for these cubs, though options appear to be more limited this year. In the meantime, our 'bear moms' are working 'round the clock to provide the best care!" the Facebook post reads.
None of the black bears Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) tracks have recently given birth, so officials say it may be difficult to find a foster mother for the cubs.
In light of limited fostering options, the center said it will continue to care for the cubs until they are fully rehabilitated and can be returned to the wild next spring.
Wildlife officials said the cubs' den in Orange County was disturbed when crews were clearing brush at a construction site, prompting the mother bear to run off. Once crews realized what happened, they contacted DWR and a biologist responded to the scene.
"Even though the crew was willing to leave the den in place for the mother to return, because one of the cubs was injured and there was ongoing construction in the area, it was safer to transport the cubs to the Center," according to the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
