Overview

• Buddy, an unusually small bear cub weighing just 15 pounds, was found in a Tucson, Arizona residential neighborhood and is now residing at the Bearizona Wildlife Park.
• Typically, bear cubs of Buddy's age (nearly a year old) should weigh around 70 pounds, leaving wildlife experts puzzled about his small size.
• Experts speculate that Buddy may have been illegally fed by humans, which could explain his comfort around people and his small size.
• Buddy's survival in the wild alone is also a mystery, as a cub of his size would usually be prey to predators such as coyotes, mountain lions, or other bears.
• Despite the unusual circumstances, Buddy was not euthanized due to his comfort and fearless demeanor around humans, but park officials stress that feeding bears can often lead to their euthanization.