Two male black bear cubs are recovering at the San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center after being rescued in Calaveras County by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The cubs, estimated to be 6 to 7 months old, were found wandering alone in a neighborhood for several days before being brought to the center on July 24. Their mother was never found.
A third cub, their sister, was euthanized after a July 31 health evaluation revealed a malformed shoulder and elbow, as well as a bullet lodged in her front paw. The deformities would have caused chronic pain and lifelong mobility issues, officials said.
“This is never a decision we take lightly,” said Dr. Alexis Wohl, wildlife veterinary manager at 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 have been moved to an outdoor enclosure designed to mimic their natural habitat. The Project Wildlife team will continue to care for them and work with the Department of Fish and Wildlife toward a possible release back into the wild.
The Ramona Wildlife Center is the only facility in California currently able to accept black bear cubs for rehabilitation, as other centers are at capacity. It is also the only facility in San Diego County permitted to rehabilitate apex predators, including black bears, mountain lions and bobcats.
“This is a critical moment for these bears,” said Autumn Welch, wildlife operations manager at the center. “We are doing everything we can to give them the best possible shot at returning to their wild home.”