Injured Bears Return to Osceola After Rehab at Disney's Animal Kingdom

[Figment!]

Bears Return to Osceola After Bugaboo Blaze Injuries Heal
It's a happy ending for the mother and cub rescued in May.

By CODY PEARCE,
The Jacksonville Times-Union
June 21, 2006

Two black bears injured in the "Bugaboo" wildfire in Columbia and Baker counties in May have been returned to the Osceola National Forest.

The 18-year-old mother and her cub received medical care from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Disney's Animal Kingdom and University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center. The sow suffered third-degree burns on all four feet. Her cub was dehydrated.

"The black bear experienced significant trauma and we are very pleased with her recovery," said Scott Terrell, a veterinarian at the Walt Disney World Animal Programs.
The commission's bear capture team, along with members of other local organizations, rescued the animals following reports of their injuries May 13.

The animals received emergency medical care at the UF veterinary center in Gainesville before moving to Disney's Animal Kingdom near Orlando for more treatment and rehabilitation.

Veterinarians treated the animals' burns, changed bandages regularly, and fed them a natural diet including berries, cabbage palm and fish.

"She's been such a great mom," said Matt Pollock, regional biologist at the commission's Olustee Field Office. "She nursed the cub the whole time she was in rehab, even when she was in great pain."
A team of UF biologists captured the sow once before in 1996 for study. They also put a radio collar on the bear to track its movement following its first release into the wild.

This allowed the team to return the bear and her cub to a location within 5 miles of her historical home following her recovery. "We all worked together to make this happen," Pollock said. "This has been a great partnership between FWC, UF and Disney, and I like the fact that we have a happy ending for these two bears."

[disneyfan369]

So cute! I'm glad those bears are OK.

[SallyP]

What a great story. Thanks for sharing Figment.
Disney is such a great Florida community asset.

[DNS]

Good story. Thanks so much for sharing it.