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Post by tom on May 16, 2021 6:40:25 GMT -5
I have often thought about the success rate of orphaned Bear cubs released back into the wild. Is there enough data to know whether the release was successful or not? How quickly should they be released? Can too much time cause them to imprint to humans making a successful release impossible? I'm sure there are a lot of factors that go into whether a cub can successfully be released back into the wild. Many questions. Here is an Interesting article. bearwithus.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Bear-rehab-cub-survival-and-conflict-Beecham.pdf |
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Post by OldGreenGrolar on May 16, 2021 6:49:06 GMT -5
I think they should be allowed to visit the wild from time to time as cubs (being accompanied of course) until they become sub adults (reach the age of independence). Also they should not be put in small cages.
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Post by brobear on May 16, 2021 7:30:54 GMT -5
According to the article, it says that ( as much as possible ) they are fed foods that can be found in the wild. The more "nature-like" their environment in captivity, the better their chances in the wild. A big issue; have as little contact as possible with them while in captivity. They should not enter the woods seeking a human habitat.
My thoughts; if they are not released into the wild, then what future might they have?
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Post by tom on May 16, 2021 7:59:21 GMT -5
The more "nature-like" their environment in captivity, the better their chances in the wild. A big issue; have as little contact as possible with them while in captivity. They should not enter the woods seeking a human habitat. Exactly, Bears can become dependent on humans if given too much contact much the same as people who feed wild Bears the Bears soon become dependent on humans for their food and we all know that can be a death sentence for a bear. |
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Post by tom on May 16, 2021 8:09:04 GMT -5
I think they should be allowed to visit the wild from time to time as cubs (being accompanied of course) until they become sub adults (reach the age of independence). Also they should not be put in small cages. Are you talking about trying to rehabilitate them prior to releasing them ? How many of you remember the drama film "Born Free" a story about a young Lioness Elsa orphaned and raised in captivity and eventually rehabilitated to the point where she was able to be released back into the wild. George and Joy Adamson literally helped Elsa learn how to survive and hunt for herself in the wild. That was a rare case that without someone with the patience and knowledge that the Adamson's were capable of, Elsa would have spent her life in a zoo most likely. |
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Post by brobear on May 16, 2021 8:12:16 GMT -5
Quote: Many times those options are not viable and as a last resort the cub is euthanized.
By viable, I assume, too young to have any chance in the wild and no volunteers to care for them.
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Post by tom on May 16, 2021 8:15:12 GMT -5
yep. Finding a home for a young bear cub can be a challenging task i would guess.
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