Gold Country Wildlife Rescue Shares Hopeful Update on Orphaned Black Bear Cub

Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR) is pleased to announce encouraging progress in the recovery of Black Bear Cub 24-3926, who arrived at their facility on December 9, 2024. Despite facing daunting health challenges, this resilient young bear is making steady strides toward recovery, thanks to the dedication of GCWR’s expert team and the support of the community.

Upon his arrival, Cub 24-3926 weighed only 20 pounds and was in a fragile condition. Through a carefully managed feeding schedule and attentive care, the cub has now reached 35 pounds, gradually regaining strength and vitality.

Initial medical examinations revealed that the cub was suffering from multiple skin infections—both bacterial and fungal, including yeast and ringworm—as well as deep infections in both ears. These conditions, likely worsened by the stress of being orphaned and malnutrition, had caused a sharp decline in his health prior to his rescue.

GCWR’s care team, including Dr. Jamie Peyton and Dr. Eric Johnson, is addressing these infections with a comprehensive, whole-body approach. Their strategy includes:

– Targeted treatments for skin and ear infections using systemic, topical, and environmental antifungal protocols.
– Nutritional support to foster healthy growth and healing.
– Supplements to reduce inflammation, support the immune system, enhance joint health, and restore the cub’s skin and coat.

Although Cub 24-3926’s health remains delicate, the team is cautiously optimistic about his progress. GCWR is committed to providing every opportunity for the cub to recover and thrive, while emphasizing the importance of collaborative care in wildlife rehabilitation.

Transparency remains a key value for the organization. While the cub continues to respond positively to treatment, it is still too early to predict the final outcome. The staff is taking every precaution to avoid human imprinting, ensuring the cub’s comfort and quality of life are prioritized.

GCWR is working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who will ultimately determine the most humane outcome for Cub 24-3926.

Updates on the cub’s progress will continue to be shared through GCWR’s website and social media channels. The organization expresses deep gratitude for the community’s outpouring of support and interest in the cub’s journey. For more information about their work or to find out how you can help, please visit [https://goldcountrywildliferescue.org](https://goldcountrywildliferescue.org).