WAUSAU − A bear cub rescued by authorities May 7 is doing well at a Rhinelander wildlife rehabilitation center.
At 1:27 a.m. May 7, the Wausau Police Department contacted the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office about a bear cub found alive and alone near State 29, west of Wausau. A vehicle had hit the cub’s mother and the mother bear suffered fatal injuries, according to a Marathon County Sheriff’s Office news release.
Deputies, with help from Wausau Police officers, were able to take the cub into their possession, according to the news release. Deputies contacted Wild Instincts, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization in Rhinelander. Wild Instincts arrived within hours and took the bear with hopes the organization could nurse the cub and eventually release it back into the wild, according to the news release.
On May 12, Wild Instincts staff reported to the Sheriff’s Office that the cub was doing well and already was able to spend time in an outdoor enclosure, according to the news release.
The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that they should not handle or approach any young wildlife, even if they think there is no parent around. Wildlife parents often leave their young bedded down for the day while they go off to feed, returning when it is safe, according to the news release.
If someone believes an animal is in distress, they should look for signs of dehydration, weakness or hypothermia. If a animal is displaying any of these symptoms and has not moved on in a reasonable amount of time, the finder should call the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number at 715-261-1200.
Contact Karen Madden kmadden@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Bear cub rescued near Wausau after mother killed in crash is thriving
Reporting by Karen Madden, Wausau Daily Herald / Wausau Daily Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
