Orphaned cub rescued from fire

A black bear was rescued as the Mustang Complex Fire burned in the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

The cub was discovered in a burn area near a popular Salmon River raft put-in. A fisherman told river checkers Dan Blanchard and Emily Atlas at Corn Creek Boat Launch that a lone bear had been seen on the river trail. Thelonebear was spottedin a Douglas fir tree on Saturday.

The bear’s paws were blistered with second-degree burns. Fire crews looked for the cub’s mother without success.

Emily Atlas of the U. S. Forest Service emailed Conservation Officer Justin Williams of Idaho Fish and Game about “Boo Boo,” as she had named the little bear. Given the bear’s weakened condition it was decided to attempt to capture the bear. Williams came to Corn Creek Sunday morning and, along with Atlas and a member of Whiskey Flats Wildfire Use Module, a fire crew, captured Boo Boo.

Williams estimated that the 20- to 25-pound cub had not eaten in four to five days.

“When you have a 150,000 acre fire, there’s bound to be wildlife interaction,” said Williams in a news release.

Chris Gaughan, Regional Wildlife Biologist for Idaho Fish and Game in Salmon, brought the bear to state veterinarian, Dr. Mark Drew, for examination at the Garden Valley Ranger Station in the Boise National Forest. Drew will assess the bear’s rehabilitation potential based on the degree of injury to its feet, and may then transport it to McCall for additional treatment.

Along for the ride was another black bear cub found abandoned near Idaho Falls. The second, smaller bear, will also be evaluated.