Overview

• A two-month-old cub was found weak and alone in Los Padres National Forest on April 12, weighing just 3 pounds when taken to the Ramona Wildlife Center.
• Wildlife operations manager Autumn Welch and her team wear bear masks, fur coats and gloves to feed the cub without human imprinting.
• A giant stuffed teddy bear dubbed “Mama” provides comfort for naps and when the cub feels alarmed.
• Since rescue the cub has quadrupled its weight and learned to dig for insects, forage in tree branches and nap in elevated perches.
• The rehabilitation is fully funded by donations and builds on similar masked-care methods that helped raise and release coyote pups and fox kits.