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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBear Cub Burned in Wildfire Limps to Human for Help (see web cam too)
http://www.care2.com/causes/bear-cub-burned-in-wildfire-limps-to-human-for-help.html
by Megan DrakeAugust 26, 20147:00 pm
From the worst wildfire in the history of Washington State comes a heartwrenching tale of a bear cub surviving severe burns to her paws, muzzle, chest and ears. About two weeks after the wildfire started, Steve Love noticed a bear cub hobbling up his driveway as his dog barked.
The cub has been named Cinder by her rescuers and is currently receiving caring treatment at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Center (LTWC) in California, a wildlife rescue center. Black bears are naturally fearful of humans and do not ordinarily seek help from them but this bear must have been desperate.
Cinders Story
It was moving fairly slow, and looked odd. Later I noticed it couldnt put weight on its paws, Love said in Methow Valley News. The cub eventually laid down on her back in some grass on the property and raised her paws in the air. Love realized the youngster was seriously injured and tried to offer help. He brought her water to drink and picked apricots from a tree which he tossed to her.
Leary at first of human contact, the bear accepted the offerings. Love reported he at one point was able to get within eight feet of the bear cub and offered encouragement in a quiet and soothing voice. This is when he noticed the severity of Cinders burns. They [paws] were pretty raw, said Love.
Rich Beausoleil gently places Cinder in a crate. Credit: Facebook
Video cams are available to see Cinder in her new place. Webcam 4 shows the ramp and Webcam 7 shows her sleeping loft. Once Cinder heals sufficiently she will be transported back to the area near where she was found to be released back into the wild. She is still demonstrating some aggression towards humans, which is a healthy sign for her successful release.
Photo of Cinder by Steve Love used with permission
FULL story at link: http://www.care2.com/causes/bear-cub-burned-in-wildfire-limps-to-human-for-help.html
shenmue
(38,506 posts)So glad little bebeh is going to be okay. Thank you to the hoomins who helped her.
Art_from_Ark
(27,247 posts)that I read along with a record when I was 5 or 6 years old
Ron Obvious
(6,261 posts)Why does nobody ever get on Smokey's case for all the boyscouts he kills for their hats?
Aerows
(39,961 posts)weren't prepared?
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)After all, how many boy scouts are named Smokey?
bluesbassman
(19,379 posts)'Course he didn't get that nickname until we were in college.
Brother Buzz
(36,463 posts)And never mind the ranger was wearing a Smokey the Bear hat.
dflprincess
(28,082 posts)I believe he turns 70 this year (older than the average bear) and he looks marvelous!
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)Every time his wife gets hot he beats her with a shovel.
Bad jokes, we got 'em!! I'll be here all week, thank you.
packman
(16,296 posts)and you probably pissed off the feminist in the crowd too - shame on you
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)I guess we're not supposed to use the term "wife-beater" to describe an ugly shirt.
N_E_1 for Tennis
(9,775 posts)Nature lover but that is a great jape!
Brigid
(17,621 posts)To care for Cinder while trying to avoid causing her to lose her fear of humans. She will need that if she is to return to the wild.
But she is so cute!
Skittles
(153,193 posts)Awwwwwwwww
AtomicKitten
(46,585 posts)logosoco
(3,208 posts)Thanks for sharing such a positive story. I forget they are out there.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)malaise
(269,157 posts)Rec
MoonRiver
(36,926 posts)Love is the perfect name for him!
flamingdem
(39,321 posts)who figured out what to do with the lil bear.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)and healing thoughts to Cinder!
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Cinder stayed on Loves property overnight and by the next morning she had moved underneath a horse trailer. Love reported hearing Cinder cry during the night. It was a bear kind of cry. It was a very unique and interesting sound, kind of a heart-rending sound. It projected like a kind of bird song, said Love.
Love called the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and when Jason Day responded to the call, he realized Cinder was too small to safely tranquilize. The 2-year-old bear cub should have weighed about 80 pounds but only had 39 pounds on her. So he used a catch pole and was able to get her in a cage for transport. The attempt succeeded only because Cinder was slowed down by her injuries.
Rich Beausoleil, bear and cougar specialist with WDFW, assessed Cinders wounds as he cleaned and dressed them. Beausoleil started networking to discover the best place for Cinder to recover. He was advised to contact LTWC because they had cared for a burned bear in the past. LTWC said yes; now all he had to do was find a way to transport Cinder the 780 miles from Wenatchee, Washington to Lake Tahoe, California.
Pilots N Paws is a group of licensed pilots who own planes and volunteer to transport animals for rehoming and other reasons. Bill Inman volunteered to alter his route to a business meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah to pick up Cinder and fly her to LTWC. Cinder was placed in a large dog kennel covered with burlap to help keep her calm. Between the stress and pain medications, Cinder slept soundly during most of the flight. Inman commented, She kind of knew people were helping her.
Cinders Recovery
Cinder is now recuperating at LTWC. She gets dressing changes every other day and is still on antibiotics and pain medication. The pain from burns can be severe. All four of Cinders paws were burned badly and she injured her elbows by trying to walk on them to avoid putting pressure on her burned paws. Cheryl Millham, Executive Director of LTWC, says they cannot be sure if Cinder was already on her own when the fire occurred. This time of year is usually when a mama bear pushes a cub her age out of the family unit.
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/bear-cub-burned-in-wildfire-limps-to-human-for-help.html#ixzz3Bjzy7Aqu
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)I read their facebook page to and they are doing fantastic work! Go Cinder!
love_katz
(2,584 posts)Thank you, Omaha Steve, for this wonderful post.
With times being so intense, and the news so full of horrible events, it really helps to read stories about kindness and compassion.
Blessings to you, sir.
bluesbassman
(19,379 posts)Always nice to hear humans doing something good for our animal friends!
mckara
(1,708 posts)I hope she returns to the wild soon and has a long and normal life.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)xchrom
(108,903 posts)Omaha Steve
(99,708 posts)So they can follow how she is doing after she returns to nature.
packman
(16,296 posts)Good people all around - could use more of them in this world.
N_E_1 for Tennis
(9,775 posts)Great post.
Rex
(65,616 posts)We are not all that far apart in the animal kingdom.
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)between watching bear cams and the other wonderful videos at the LTWC site. What a great organization. Thanks for sharing.
Suziq
(1,009 posts)I have been watching Cinder on and off all day.
Generic Other
(28,979 posts)The bear is eating watermelon!!
heaven05
(18,124 posts)all lesser creatures have my hopes for security and safety in this world of grief.
BlancheSplanchnik
(20,219 posts):') (tearful smile)
Little sweetie
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)Sheldon Cooper
(3,724 posts)Warpy
(111,339 posts)but she's still limping around mostly on her elbows. She moves away from the keepers but she doesn't hustle away. I hope she stays wary enough that she can go back to the forest and have a bear's life like she's supposed to.
ETA: webcam of her sleeping/play platform: http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Go Cinder!
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)joeybee12
(56,177 posts)uppityperson
(115,679 posts)healing.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Cinder web cam
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Omaha Steve
(99,708 posts)Both you and Marta have been watching her all week.
Uncle Joe
(58,417 posts)Thanks for the thread, Omaha Steve.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I am so thankful for the kind people who have helped her. I hope she makes a full recovery and goes on to live a happy healthy life in the wild.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Omaha Steve
(99,708 posts)And shows improvement since we first started watching her.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Jerri Berg says:
September 7, 2014 at 2:32 pm
I finally got to see Cinder being tranquilized and taken out of the cage for her bandages to be changed. Yay!!! I am so happy to see how uncomfortable she is with humans. It is sad to see her so stressed by us, but very good news for her that she is.
I noticed a man with a camera set up in the cage and then following her out. Will this footage be posted somewhere that we can access it? Please let us know. I for one would love to see footage with sound and I believe others would too.
Thank you for all you are doing for Cinder and thank you for sharing it with all of us!!!
Denise@LTWC says:
September 7, 2014 at 5:07 pm
The only thing I DO know is a news crew from Washington State was supposed to be there today for an update on Cinder but thats all I know as its my day off! Tom will probably post an update soon maybe a link to the story!
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
Omaha Steve
(99,708 posts)Denise@LTWC says: September 8, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Cinder got rice Krispy treats / a BIG marshmallow / some honey & peanut butter jammed in her Kong today! Special treats for all the pain she goes thru! Might have to get a few more Kongs to rotate up there as she doesnt like returning them to us!
On camera NOW she is getting several kinds of fruit.
OS
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Responses to Cam 7: River Otter South Side Play Area
Jerri Berg says:
September 9, 2014 at 12:05 pm
So happy to watch Cinder get better each day. Love watching her with her Kong dispenser. I just ordered 3 more XL Large Kongs for her from Amazon. They should be delivered on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014. Hope she can wait that long.
Thank you for all you are doing to help this poor baby and all the animals you look after.
Reply
Denise@LTWC says:
September 9, 2014 at 12:29 pm
THANK YOU! I have the other one in with the cubs & know Cinder will LOVE having a kong a day schedule!!!
Reply
Kim says:
September 9, 2014 at 1:11 pm
What other types of treats/toys would be helpful to send to you?
Reply
Mimi at Tahoe says:
September 9, 2014 at 10:44 am
Just watched Cinder come down her ramp. The bandages are smaller but she has only a fraction of the speed of a bear who hasnt gotten hurt! She did some stretches at the top. Mustve been a movement that felt good like one of us doing ballet bends at the kitchen sink! God bless!
Reply
MartaLCD says:
September 8, 2014 at 4:52 pm
I love seeing that Cinder is gaining weight. She looks much fuller in her body now, and seems to be feeling much better. Watching her stretch while shes sleeping is just like watching any other animal who is comfy and happy in a safe spot.
Much thanks to all of the people who are helping her to heal, and taking such good care of her.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Responses to Cam 7: River Otter South Side Play Area
Chris says:
September 10, 2014 at 8:18 am
LOL tuned in to see Cinder this morning and caught cage cleaning time. Ms Cinder doesnt like having a clean cage and not patient while they get the job done. Shes pacing back and fourth and peeking down the ramp keeping a close eye on them..
But good to see her moving around better.
Reply
Andy says:
September 9, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Cinder looks as though she has slippers on her back feet. It great to see her getting better. I cant wait until she is moved back home and gets to wander free again! Thanks for all LTWC is doing for her.
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Inc. added 2 new photos.
16 hrs ·
.
Cinder had her dressings changed tonight (Friday, Sept. 12th) by Dr. Kevin Willitts, assisted by LTWC Exec. Dir., Cheryl Millham. Overall, her paws are healing well. The right rear is considerably further behind the healing process from the other three because it came in with the most damage.
OK. Here is some good news. When we weighed her on Sunday night, she weighed in at 70 pounds. KOMO TV (ABC affililate out of Seattle) was here to video the process and Molly Shen, the reporter, told us that she plans to air this in about 10 days to 2 weeks. So, those of you in Seattle, keep an eye on KOMO - TV.
Two nights ago, we had a visit from our local Lake Valley firefighters. They had raised some funds to assist with feeding Cinder - and the rest of the cubs - and presented LTWC with a check along with some watermelon and grapes (Cinder LOVES grapes)!! The grouop of four photos were taken by Lake Valley Firefighter, Leona Allen. The first photo shows Cinder UP-stairs in her cage before Dr Williltts applied the drug to 'help' her go to sleep for a short time, so we can change her dressings. Yes, we are still on an every 'other' day or every third day, she still needs that much help. The second photo shows Lake Valley Captain Mike Mosca (left), Firefighter Ryan Mahnken (he helped carry Cinder back out to her cage after Dr Willitts was done), Dr Willitts, our volunteer veterinarian for almost 30 years, and me! Mike is holding some grapes which we fed to Cinder after she was placed 'back' in her cage and Ryan has the watermelon. (Almost ALL wildlife love watermelon!) Oh. By the way. That is Cinder laying on the vet table with her head to the left. For safety reasons, we have a muzzle on her to make sure the vet doesn't get hurt - - - nor me!!
In the third photo, Firefighter Ryan is preparing to pick up Cinder and using a fireman's carry (fourth photo), carries her out to her cage for the last (almost) 5 weeks. She most likely will be with us for 'at least' another 4 weeks, but, each week tells a new and different story. She has lost a number of her claws - that is the bad news - BUT, the 'good' news is that she is RE-growing new claws.
In the second photo, Dr. Willitts is showing the two firefighters the recovering damage to her paws. With their medical training as firefighters, both were intensly interested!
When I carried her UP-stairs tonight, I could have sworn that she gained another 20 pounds since Sunday, but, I am sure that was just me being a girley-man. That should do it for now. As we get more info, we will let you know.
Thank you to all who have contributed. We really appreciate it. Still a long way to go. Talk to you soon. Tom
https://www.facebook.com/laketahoewildlifecare/photos/pcb.10152299314482117/10152299311927117/?type=1&theater
Omaha Steve
(99,708 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Responses to Cam 7: River Otter South Side Play Area
Chris says:
September 15, 2014 at 12:11 pm
OH Cinder youre looking good today and how nice it is to see your pretty face up close to the camera.. Definately filling out and looking better. Keep it up little girl, your on the path to healing.
Ill be shopping on Amazon for some goodies for you and the other bears
Nadine says:
September 14, 2014 at 12:45 pm
Cinder, you seem to have doubled in size lately. Who is this voluptuous, gorgeous, rounded bear I see before me? No wonder they had the biggest firefighter carry you back to your cage the other day!
OK, now I know theres an Amazon wishlist, I shall go check it out.
I cant type much more this week, so Ill just leave this here, and I hope you know I am still thinking about the bears, and everyone doing the Great Work.
Blessings to all,
Nadine
Mimi at Tahoe says:
September 14, 2014 at 12:27 pm
At last I get a good look at Cinders pretty face! She was standing up there, then gingerly dropping down on the right elbow. Now shes lying down with upper body moving, ears moving, licking, looking around, then her chin on that ball. They say animals are in the moment. What is she thinking? That its windy and things arent too bad here after all? It just gets better, sweetheart!
cam
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Omaha Steve
(99,708 posts)Thanks to those that have been following this and or donated to help.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Responses to Cam 7: River Otter South Side Play Area
Andy says:
September 24, 2014 at 11:02 pm
Cinder, you naughty girl! I know those bandages are uncomfortable but you have to were them for a few more weeks until your paws heal up. But youre pretty smart figuring out how to get them off!
Reply
KC says:
September 25, 2014 at 3:28 am
Andy think what you see that looks like a bandage is one of the Kongs. She has had those close by her a lot.
Cam
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Inc.
6 hours ago
.
Well we've hit a milestone with Cinder- she is now sporting BEAR FEET! (no pun intended!) Last night Dr Kevin decided to see how things go WITHOUT bandages for a bit so we will keep an eye on her (with your help of course) to make sure there's no excessive licking etc. Next scheduled exam is tentatively for Sunday which I KNOW Cinder will be happy about- to be left alone from us pesky humans for a bit longer stretch! We'll see how it goes & hopefully if all goes well start planning the next phase of her rehab process- whatever that may be! Think good thoughts for her!
cam
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)they shake and she gingerly tries to walk on them!
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Nadine says:
October 6, 2014 at 6:51 pm
Hi folks!
I must say, I have not seen Cinder look this happy or contented.
She was sitting closer to the cam tonight circa 7pm, and licking her Kong with her ant-eater tongue while holding it a tad gingerly with her paws. He paws look very stubby without their pads, fur and claws now that I see them up close. I presume the claws always grow back unless the nailbed is destroyed but that is a question I have. Are they growing back sufficiently for her to climb trees again eventually? I have yet to see her lick them in front of the cam but am knocking on wood in case I said that too loud on here.
I swear I actually saw a smile on her face tonight. Later she went downstairs for more apples. Definitely trying to get her calories in, her apetite is heartily busy and she just motors through all the food. Im gonna start calling her Queen Kong soon!
I would love to see her play with her toys a little but maybe shes a little mature for that. She had to grow up fast this year. I agree Mimi, it will be very interesting to see what occurs vis a vis the denning. I know I would love to join in with the volunteering there, and the luncheon sounds wonderful a dream to be with other people and just talk about bears and other animals a lot/be on the same page.
Oh and I just saw a white thing zoom across the floor. It was either a poltergeist apple or a chipmunk!
Well, I managed to jab myself in the eye 3 days ago while picking grapes off my vine, (yes I wish I lived a lot closer I would have 100lbs of grapes to give to the bears) and I ended up in the ER in writhing agony with a corneal abrasion/gouge right on my iris. I did not sleep for several days, and many times all I could do was just held on tight in the darkness and I thought of Cinder, and what she went through with her paws, and that really helped that if a young bear deal and get through so much, so can I deal with that weekend of agony. Thank you majestic creature. You teach us so much, and I think that is why we admire you so.
Finally, at 8pm, she is lying far in her upstairs corner again. Though I can barely see her, I sense a happier bear. Maybe she can tell she might go home soon. California must smell so strange to her. Shes dreaming of Fall huckleberries, and the morning mists that settle in the valleys, and finally the rains and snow that will feed everything, our salmon, our berries and our bears.
cam
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
Omaha Steve
(99,708 posts)Last edited Wed Oct 8, 2014, 07:07 PM - Edit history (1)
This is the first time we can see just how burned her paws were.
The 10 orphan cubs are eating $1,200 in a food a week. The non-profit could use some $
Donate here: http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=167
Video and story at link: http://abc7news.com/news/burned-bear-cub-recovering-well-at-tahoe-wildlife-center/333232/
OS
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Martha Bubel says:
October 11, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Looking at Cinder this afternoon, she is up in her loft licking her paws. All 4 of them. Maybe they are itchy. Hope they are not raw and hurting. I love watching her and come quite often during the day to watch her. Thanks for caring for her so well during her re-cooperation.
Chris says:
October 10, 2014 at 11:29 am
Okay what is that running around the bottom of Cinders cage??? Looks like a mouse, but it could be a squirel?? Its fast what ever it is.
Nice to see Cinders not distracted with it as she chewing on her Kong.
emily in NH says:
October 10, 2014 at 12:58 pm
If its what I saw a few days ago, Chris, its a chipmunk
and a gutsy one at that! It went up the ramp where Cinder was napping and investigated her and three of her Kongs. On its way out she moved a little when it sniffed her again and it flew away
it was very funny to watch
I dont think it climbed down it just appeared on the floor below and RAN!!
Andy says:
October 10, 2014 at 11:17 am
Its kind of unfair to you sweet Cinder girl, getting you all used to those Kongs full of goodies that you LOVE soooo much!! Those wont be around for you once you get back where you belong. I hope you mistake a beehive for a Kong after youre back in the woods! I looks like your paws are coming right along and youll be ready to return to the Methow Valley fairly soon. I love that youre still a wild bear and you give Dr Willits a hard time when he tries to give you a shot of that sleepy juice. I hope you have a long life and mother at least a couple litters of cubs. I know youll make a superb mother. Go be free and wild sweet girl!!
Cinder says:
October 10, 2014 at 12:09 pm
what
NO KONGS IN THE WOODS?
grrrrrrrr
how about grapes
YES??
Chris says:
October 10, 2014 at 2:13 pm
Why yes, Cinder there is plenty of grapes baack here in Washington. Tastey wine grapes
..
But sorry, no kongs unless they let you take them with you when you are ready to be released back into the wild
.
Andy says:
October 10, 2014 at 4:09 pm
I meant to say I hope you DONT mistake a beehive for a Kong I could never type worth a Bear Poop anyway!
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949