Black bear cub rescued from Lac du Bonnet wildfire dies

A female cub who escaped from a wildfire near Lac du Bonnet, Man. has died from her injuries. (Black Bear Rescue Manitoba)

A black bear rehabilitation centre in Manitoba is mourning the loss of a cub who was rescued from a wildfire just two days ago.

Black Bear Rescue Manitoba (BBRM) took in the orphaned cub after it was found Thursday on Wendigo Road in the rural municipality of Lac du Bonnet.

Roger Stearns, BBRM’s operations manager, told CTV News the cub was found crossing back and forth across the road by a man working in the area, and handed over to Manitoba Conservation officers.

“There was a lot going on in that area, but somehow, she managed to make it out.”

Stearns said the female cub weighed about 7 lbs. and was likely around three months old. Black Bear Rescue Manitoba named her Sayen, which means ‘she who is sweet and lovely.’

Stearns said Sayen was coughing from smoke inhalation during her veterinary check-up following the rescue. He added the fur on her back was singed from the flames, and she had burns on her feet and face.

“She must have been running through embers and stuff, and she lost the first layer of skin on her feet.”

Stearns said BBRM staff managed to get Sayen to drink some milk and started treating her injuries with salves and painkillers.

“We were pretty optimistic,” Stearns said. “We knew it would be a tough goal with getting her feet healed up, but I was quite shocked this morning.”

He suspects the cub died from lung damage sustained from the wildfire smoke.

“They can’t save humans in that condition either,” Stearns said. “Making it through is a long, long process.”

Stearns said other cubs have died while receiving care at BBRM, but Sayen is the first one to succumb to injuries sustained from a wildfire.

“I always remember the ones we can’t save,” Stearns said.

He said he’s concerned there are likely other orphaned cubs in areas of Manitoba impacted by wildfires.

“They can’t keep up to the mother fleeing,” he explained. “The mother isn’t going to pick up cubs, carry them in her mouth, and run from the fire. Bears are flight animals when it comes to danger like that, and the cub just won’t keep up.”

Anyone who suspects a cub is orphaned or in need of help is encouraged to contact Manitoba Conservation’s tip line.