Bear 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.
Cinder’s Story
“It was moving fairly slow, and looked odd. Later I noticed it couldn’t 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 Cinder’s 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
= new reply since forum marked as read
So glad little bebeh is going to be okay. Thank you to the hoomins who helped her.
that I read along with a record when I was 5 or 6 years old
weren't prepared? 
After all, how many boy scouts are named Smokey? 
'Course he didn't get that nickname until we were in college. 
And never mind the ranger was wearing a Smokey the Bear hat.
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.
and you probably pissed off the feminist in the crowd too - shame on you
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!
Love is the perfect name for him!
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. 
Always nice to hear humans doing something good for our animal friends! 
I have been watching Cinder on and off all day.
all lesser creatures have my hopes for security and safety in this world of grief.
:') (tearful smile)
Little sweetie
Thanks to those that have been following this and or donated to help.
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 you’re 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
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. I’m gonna start calling her Queen Kong soon!
I would love to see her play with her toys a little but maybe she’s 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. She’s 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
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
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 Cinder’s cage??? Looks like a mouse, but it could be a squirel?? It’s 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 it’s what I saw a few days ago, Chris, it’s 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 it’s way out she moved a little when it sniffed her again and it “flew” away… it was very funny to watch … I don’t think it climbed down it just appeared on the floor below and RAN!!
Andy says:
October 10, 2014 at 11:17 am
It’s kind of unfair to you sweet Cinder girl, getting you all used to those Kongs full of goodies that you LOVE soooo much!! Those won’t be around for you once you get back where you belong. I hope you mistake a beehive for a Kong after you’re back in the woods! I looks like your paws are coming right along and you’ll be ready to return to the Methow Valley fairly soon. I love that you’re 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 you’ll 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 DON’T mistake a beehive for a Kong” I could never type worth a Bear Poop anyway!
http://www.ltwc.org/?page_id=949
