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Lasher

(28,453 posts)
Tue Mar 12, 2013, 05:30 AM Mar 2013

Rescued bear cub headed for ‘foster den’

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A bear cub that was rescued from the side of a West Virginia highway will soon be headed to a "foster den," state wildlife officials said.

<snip>

Chris Ryan, a bear biologist with the Division of Natural Resources, said the cub would be placed in a "foster den" later this week. Though it's not the ideal situation for a young cub, wildlife workers often find bears make wonderful foster mothers and treat them as their own.

Although he said the woman who rescued the cub probably thought she was doing the right thing, she made the wrong decision. He said the cub was likely close to his den.

"The main thing to do when you see a cub alone like that is to leave it alone," Ryan said. "The mother has probably gone over the hillside or something, but 99 percent of the time she's going to come back for her cub."

http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201303110205

This woman almost certainly did not 'rescue' the cub. What she did was illegal in the state of West Virginia:

Leave Young Wildlife Alone

As a final caution, state laws prohibit the possession of wildlife without a permit. Under any circumstances, when you pick up a young animal in the wild you have taken it into your possession. The fines for illegal possession of a fawn deer, black bear cub, baby raccoon, squirrel or any other species taken or possessed during the closed season range from $20 up to a maximum of $1,000 and/or up to 100 days in jail.

http://www.wv.gov/news/Pages/YoungWildlife.aspx
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Rescued bear cub headed for ‘foster den’ (Original Post) Lasher Mar 2013 OP
She's lucky mama bear didn't come back and maul her. Idiot. catbyte Mar 2013 #1
Yes, that's a dangerous thing to do. Lasher Mar 2013 #2

catbyte

(35,998 posts)
1. She's lucky mama bear didn't come back and maul her. Idiot.
Tue Mar 12, 2013, 07:26 AM
Mar 2013

If the cub wasn't injured or in distress, you leave them alone.

Lasher

(28,453 posts)
2. Yes, that's a dangerous thing to do.
Tue Mar 12, 2013, 11:00 AM
Mar 2013

Once while riding my motorcycle I had to stop because a cub was in the road. I stayed clear, and was ready to hit it in case Momma Bear suddenly. Little feller eventually went back in the direction he came from and I went on my way.

Whitetail deer fawns are cute too. If people pick them up, they are doomed.

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