Neighbors Come Together to Save Abandoned Baby Black Bear Crying For Her Mother

A tiny orphaned bear cub in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, has a second chance at life and it’s all thanks to a community that refused to look away.

The eight-pound cub had been alone for days, crying out for her mother and wandering dangerously close to homes, even following people in search of comfort.

Neighbors were heartbroken listening to her distress calls and began speaking up, determined to get her help.

After days of concern and advocacy, Kris Whitlock of the Maple Ridge Black Bear Society was able to locate the cub, and approval was finally given to bring her to safety after there was debate with Conservation Officers Service, biologists, and those that wanted to rescue the bear. When found, the little bear was so desperate not to be alone that she followed Whitlock.

“Thankfully we got the bear to the help it needed,” she said. “Huge shoutout to some amazing neighbours, Alana and Liz, who raised their voices and decided to help a little bear.”

The bear was quickly transported to Critter Care Wildlife Society, where she’ll be cared for, rehabilitated, and given the chance to grow strong enough to one day return to the wild.

For a cub so young, time was running out so it’s fortunate that she was rescued when she was. Ellie Lamb, who works as a bear viewing guide in northern B.C., was one of those concerned and advocating the bear be picked up. Orphaned cubs that young only live three to five days, she said, and they are vulnerable to predators like coyotes.

“We spend our whole lives impacting nature, and when we have a chance to help, it’s good for us,” said Lamb. “It allows us to be the best of who we are.”

Critter Care, where she was taken raises bears and other species of injured or orphaned wildlife until they are able to fend for themselves, and can be released back into the wilderness.

Thanks to compassionate residents who raised their voices and took action, the cub’s story now has a hopeful ending.

Sign up to get a daily dose of positivity delivered right to your inbox with our newsletter.