San Diego Wildlife Center Cares for Youngest Orphaned Black Bear Cub

A 2-month-old black bear cub, the youngest ever cared for by the San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center, was found alone in Los Padres National Forest and could not be reunited with its mother. Initially weak and underweight from several days without nutrition, the cub is now stable and thriving after receiving round-the-clock expert care, including four daily enrichment and feeding sessions where staff wear bear suits to mimic maternal behavior and prevent human imprinting. The cub is expected to remain in care for up to a year before being released back into the wild, with efforts to pair orphaned cubs if possible to maintain their wild instincts. This case is rare, with only a few such young cubs admitted to rehabilitation in California over the past five years, highlighting the significant commitment and reliance on donations required for specialized care. The Ramona Wildlife Center is the only facility in San Diego County authorized to rehabilitate native apex predators like black bears, mountain lions, and bobcats. Public response has been positive, inspired by the cub's progress and the dedication of the Project Wildlife team.