When I answered the phone, Bruce said, "Be ready in 5 minutes, and I'll take you to see a bear!" By the time he drove up the driveway, I was waiting outside, camera in hand. I was ready!
Bruce had gotten a call from a woman who was concerned about a small bear in their neighbor's yard. It had been hanging out there all day, didn't seem to have a mother, and she feared it was sick.
One thing in the animals' favor, he scampered up this tree without problems. And when Bruce first checked up on him, he found the bear eating on a deer carcass.
His coat looked good, and although it is difficult to tell just how thin he really is, he did seem to be in good shape for a bear who hasn't eaten all Winter.
But the little guy didn't look big enough to be a 2 yr. old- and usually sows don't kick their yearlings out. Since the people who'd voiced their concern hadn't seen the sow all day, we wondered what this little guy's story could be. How long had he been surviving on his own?
Once out of the tree, he curled up into a ball and tried to go to sleep which isn't really what you expect a bear to do. It's no wonder that woman called asking Bruce to run by and see if the cub was alright.
Bruce says it's pretty normal for bears just out of hibernation to be a bit lethargic, and slow. Their digestive system has to re-start after being inactive all Winter long.
So, we're hoping that after a large meal, this little guy decided a nap would be just the thing to do! And you know me... I'll be bugging Bruce to check up on him soon.
Nice shots !!!
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