orphan cubs
If you see a Cub of the Year (COY), a cub born in January of the same year, on his/her own please do not approach the cub or make any attempt to catch the cub.
Cubs are at times left in a safe location by their mother, either up a tree or on the ground, while she is foraging nearby.
If you do see repeated sightings of a cub on his/her own please do as follows:
1. Immediately call the Conservation Service via the RAPP Line at
1-877- 952-7277.
2. Choose Option #1.
3. Report location and time of sighting of the cub.
4. Request a file number for reference and request the cub be taken to a rehabilitation facility.
5. Contact the Sunshine Coast Bear Alliance at: SCBEARALLIANCE@GMAIL.COM
You may see these signs installed in areas where active cub searches take place to inform residents on steps they can take to help.
You can also contact SCBA and ask for such signs to be put up in areas where orphan cubs are sighted.
Cubs may be orphaned if their mother becomes ill or sustains an injury that results in her inability to care for them. Mothers involved in fatal vehicle collisions may also be a cause for the appearance of orphans.
Once captured by the Conservation Service the orphaned cub will be transported to a rehabilitation facility where he/she receives an examination and any medical treatments necessary. Once in acceptable health the orphan cub will be placed with other cubs of the same size. The cubs are fed and cared for until they can be released back into their home range.
The Sunshine Coast Bear Alliance was involved in the rescue of six orphan cubs on the Sunshine Coast between October 2021 and november 2023.
GRAMMA, an orphaned cub, was originally spotted wondering along sea walk, walking towards Lunitas restaurant in Gibsons on October 26, 2023. A few residents and our own SCBA co-founder, Diane Henley, spent hours keeping an eye on the cub waiting for CO. On October 27th, with the help of Gibsons by-law officer, Sue Booth, who called CO directly and asked to rush to the area where cub was seen near construction site, the cub was finally tranquilized and taken to the Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. We are thankful to Irene Davis from the GWRC for providing temporary shelter before Gramma cub was transported to his final destination in Langley, to the Critter Care Wildlife Society where he will be rehabilitated and released in the Spring when he’s ready to start his new life in the wild.
SKOOKUM, an orphaned cub, was originally spotted in late August - early September of 2021 in the Langdale area. After long searches and multiple sightings was finally caught weighing only 20 pounds and transported to Critter Care Wildlife Society for further rehabilitation and subsequent release.
Go HERE to see a video and read more on Skookum on our Facebook page.
HERE you can see another video from Critter Care Wildlife Society.
SUNNY, cub who was originally spotted late November - early December in the general area of the Sunshine Coast Museum and subsequently sighted by residents multiple times on various streets of the Elphinstone area. Sunny was a tough cookie and endured tough winter conditions, but with the help of many residents and dedication of SCBA’s search volunteers, he was finally trapped and transferred to the CCWS (Critter Care Wildlife Society)
Go HERE to see the video of Sunny on our Facebook page.
Both of our Gibson's orphan sibling cubs of the year were spotted sometime in October and caught in the early morning hours of November 21, 2021.
SAKINAW, pictured below, was rescued after a six week long search in challenging winter conditions by Sunshine Coast Bear Alliance members and many community residents. He weighed a mere 20 pounds, at a time when cubs his age typically weigh between 50 -70 pounds. He was transferred to Critter Care Wildlife Society where he will be cared for until he has grown and is ready to return to his home range on the Sunshine Coast.
click on article title
to read full story