As you read this e-mail, most bear cubs across the United States are preparing to go into their winter hibernation dens beside their mothers.  But sadly some cubs, like the one above, are not as lucky.  This tiny cub became an orphan at only seven months old, when her mother was shot and killed during hunting season last fall.

You can only imagine how scared and confused the little cub must have felt as her mother's body was tied up and dragged away.  The cub was still totally dependent on her mother, who provided her with food and showed her how to stay out of danger, and who she huddled up to for warmth and safety on cold nights in the mountains of Idaho where they lived.  It was already mid-October and winter was fast approaching - the helpless cub had little chance of surviving on her own.

What happens to orphaned bear cubs?

Fortunately for this cub help arrived just in time.  She was spotted wandering around a residential area, and within days she was on her way to the Idaho Black Bear Rehab (IBBR) rescue and rehabilitation center in Garden City, Idaho.  Once at IBBR the cub was in good hands, as staff gave her around the clock care and fed her with their special cub formula.  She spent the winter months warm and safe at the center and was released back into the forests of Idaho along with several other strong and healthy bears in June of this year.

Sadly, this situation is not unique, as every year hundreds of bear cubs around the world are left orphaned, starving and close to death when their mothers are shot by hunters, hit by cars, or killed because they are seen as nuisances as people encroach on their habitat.  Without help, most of the cubs cannot survive.  Many starve to death while others are attacked and injured by predators, or in some cases may be killed or captured and put into captivity for the rest of their lives. 

Help us make a difference for even more orphaned cubs

WSPA and IBBR are working to give bear cubs in the United States a second chance - in most cases their only chance - to survive and one day return to the wild.  We have supported IBBR's world-renowned work to rescue, rehabilitate, and release bears for the past 10 years and we are continuing to help them rescue even more orphaned cubs and share their successful techniques with others.  We are also collaborating with groups across the world to prevent human-bear conflicts so that cubs do not have to become orphans in the first place.  Find out more about our work and make your gift today to ensure that these cubs and other animals get the life saving care they so desperately need.

On behalf of the bears and other animals, thank you.