Forest fire burns bear cub’s paws
Forest fire burns bear cub’s paws
28 August 2012
published by www.kval.com
USA — McCALL, Idaho – Fire officials have rescued a black bear cub orphaned by the Mustang Complex Fire on the Salmon River.
The cub, nick named “Boo Boo” was found in a burn area near the Corn Creek Boat Launch Saturday morning.
The bear’s paws were blistered with second-degree burns. A fire crew looked for the cub’s mother without success.
An Idaho Fish and Game Officer and a member of the Whiskey Flats Crew were able to capture the cub and take it to the Garden Valley Ranger Station.
Officials estimate that the 20-25 pound cub had not eaten in several days.
“When you have a 150,000 acre fire, there’s bound to be wildlife interaction,” said Justin Williams, Idaho Fish and Game conservation officer.
The cub, if the vet approves, will then be sent to the non-profit Snowden Wildlife Sanctuary in McCall for recovery.
The approximate 149,000 acre Mustang Fire is burning in the main Salmon River corridor about 25 air miles northwest of Salmon. Firefighters located the injured Black Bear cub in Wheat Creek, 15 miles downriver from the Middle Fork Salmon River and main Salmon River confluence.
Courtesy: Karen Dunlap, USDA Forest Service
