Orphaned Bears Safe At Wildlife Facility

Two orphaned bear cubs are healthy and receiving care at a wildlife sanctuary on the Western Slope of Colorado after their mother was killed in August.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife officer shot and killed the bear on a ranch near Crestone, owned by Elaine Johnson, claiming the bear killed a goat on a nearby farm. The DOW killed a female bear, but Johnson says it was the wrong one. She says she had been watching that bear and her cubs on her property for a period of time and it was not responsible for killing local livestock.

Johnson contacted The Animal Law Center and asked for assistance locating a facility to care for the cubs. DOW representatives and Animal Law Center lawyers chose The Pauline Schneegas Wildlife Foundation near Silt, Colorado.

Jennifer Edwards, founder and lawyer with The Animal Law Center says the cubs had a low chance for survival after their mother was killed.

The cubs will remain at the facility until they are released into the wild, which is expected sometime early next year.