Colorado Springs, United States - July 12, 2024

[Note: no sound]

A young black bear cub, affectionately dubbed a "little fuzzy guest" by visitors, found temporary refuge in a tree at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, stirring both concern and admiration from onlookers. The cub's solitary presence raised alarms as it repeatedly appeared without its mother, prompting zoo officials to take action.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, recognizing the cub's vulnerability and potential orphan status, collaborated with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to orchestrate a safe rescue operation from the zoo grounds. Wildlife officers ensured the cub's tranquility during the sedation process, aided by the zoo's efforts to keep visitors at a distance.

"With determination that the cub was likely orphaned and too young to survive alone, our staff worked alongside CPW to safely extract the cub from its lofty perch in the tree," stated the zoo in a Facebook update.

After a thorough veterinary examination at the zoo's clinic, the cub received a clean bill of health, deemed crucial for its journey ahead. CPW underscored the critical role of intervention, emphasizing the cub's slim chances of survival without maternal care, especially as winter approaches.

The delicate operation, including the use of a boom lift to safely retrieve the cub from the tree, illustrating the collaborative efforts between wildlife experts and zoo personnel.

"The little guy will be relocated to a rehabilitation facility, where he will remain until late fall," explained the zoo. "CPW plans to prepare a man-made den for the cub, ensuring he can hibernate through winter and emerge stronger come spring."

This rescue echoes CPW's previous efforts in February, underscoring their commitment to wildlife conservation and ensuring orphaned cubs have a second chance at life in the wild.

"Thanks to the dedicated teamwork between zoo staff and CPW, this orphaned bear now has a promising future ahead," concluded the zoo, grateful for the opportunity to aid in the cub's survival journey.