He Was Orphaned, Hairless, and Afraid—Now This Bear Cub Is Thriving

In December 2024, a young black bear cub was found alone in El Dorado County, California. He was in terrible shape—underweight, dehydrated, and suffering from painful skin and ear infections.

He barely resembled a bear.

“He was in such poor condition when he arrived that, in many ways, he didn’t even resemble a bear,” said Chelsea Engberg, marketing and outreach manager for Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR), in an interview with The Dodo.

Fighting for His Life

On his first day at GCWR, the orphaned bear cub was weak, hairless, and terrified—but this vet visit marked the beginning of his remarkable journey to recovery.(Image by Gold Country Wildlife Rescue via Facebook.)

The team at Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR) in North Auburn moved quickly. They gave him a thorough exam and started treatment right away.

His daily meds were hidden in favorite snacks—grapes and blueberries.

Soon, the cub began to eat, drink, and rest. Slowly, his condition stabilized.

“While it might not seem like a big change, the fact that we are starting to see fur fuzz grow on his face is an exciting next step in his healing journey,” the team shared in a Facebook update.

A Playful Side Emerges

As weeks passed, the cub began to show his personality. He explored his enclosure and played with enrichment tools like a kiddie pool and a hammock made of firehoses.

To give him the best chance at returning to the wild, staff limited human interaction. He remained curious but cautious—just as a wild bear should be.

A Huge Milestone in His Journey

Now full of fur and confidence, the once-hairless cub enjoys his outdoor enclosure—wild, playful, and nearly ready for whatever comes next. (Image by Gold Country Wildlife Rescue via Facebook.)

In March 2025, the cub reached a critical milestone: he was moved to Summit University, GCWR’s specially designed outdoor rehab space for black bears. This new enclosure gave him fresh air, more space, and access to visual and scent-based interaction with other cubs.

“Cub 24-3926 explored his new space briefly before settling into his culvert den, while his new neighbors were seen sniffing curiously along the shared walls,” GCWR shared in a March 25 post.

What’s Next for This Brave Bear?

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife will make the final decision on his future—whether he’ll be released back into the wild or placed in a sanctuary.

No matter what, the team is proud.

“We are always amazed by the wild animals in our care, and this bear cub is one of the most amazing recoveries we have seen,” Engberg said.