Three orphaned black bear cubs found wandering alone in a Calaveras County neighborhood are now being rehabilitated at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center, which is currently the only facility in California accepting black bear cubs for care.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife rescued the cubs, all siblings, after residents reported repeated sightings of the young bears without their mother. Wildlife officers were unable to locate the adult female, and her whereabouts remain unknown.
The cubs, estimated to be about 6 to 7 months old, arrived at the Ramona center on July 24. San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife team conducted a full health evaluation under anesthesia on July 31. Veterinarians determined the cubs’ genders, two males and one female, and performed radiographs, dental exams and other diagnostics.
Tragically, the female cub was found to have severe congenital deformities in her shoulder and elbow, along with a bullet lodged in her front paw. Officials said the injuries would have led to chronic pain and long-term mobility issues.
In consultation with state wildlife officials, the veterinary team made the decision to euthanize the female to prevent further suffering.
“This is never a decision we take lightly,” said Dr. Alexis Wohl, wildlife veterinary manager for San Diego Humane Society. “But in cases where an animal’s quality of life would be severely compromised, humane euthanasia is sometimes the most compassionate option.”
The two surviving cubs were cleared for rehabilitation and have since been moved to a large outdoor enclosure designed to mimic their natural environment. The nonprofit’s wildlife staff will continue to care for the bears as they grow stronger, with the goal of returning them to the wild in coordination with state wildlife authorities.
“This is a critical moment for these bears,” said Autumn Welch, wildlife operations manager at the Ramona Wildlife Center. “We are doing everything we can to give them the best possible shot at returning to their wild home.”
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Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society -
Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society -
Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society -
Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society -
Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society -
Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society -
Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society -
Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society -
Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society -
Orphaned bear cubs at San Diego Humane Society
The Ramona facility, located in inland San Diego County, is currently the only wildlife center in the state accepting black bear cubs. Other facilities, including Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue and Gold Country Wildlife Rescue, have reached capacity, according to the humane society.
The center is also the only one in the county permitted to rehabilitate native apex predators such as black bears, bobcats and mountain lions.
San Diego Humane Society receives no state funding for its wildlife operations and depends entirely on private donations.
For more information or to support San Diego Humane Society’s efforts, visit their website.