A family in British Columbia rescued a baby bear cub struggling in Okanagan Lake. The Zamniuk family noticed the cub having difficulty staying afloat and brought it onto their boat. Concerned for the cub’s well-being, they named it “Boo Boo” and provided it with cheese to warm up.
After contacting the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) and the B.C. SPCA, the family was advised to bring the cub ashore without excessive interaction. Despite challenges in getting the cub to leave the boat, they managed to guide it back into the water, where it swam to shore and disappeared into the woods.
Although the COS did not respond on-site, they emphasized the importance of minimal human contact to ensure the cub’s survival in the wild. The COS later confirmed the incident and mentioned no further reports of an orphan bear cub in the area.
WildSafeBC commended the family for their actions and reminded the public to avoid wildlife contact, especially during the active bear season in September. Encounters with bear cubs may indicate the presence of the mother bear nearby, and human intervention should be a last resort. It is recommended to contact the COS promptly in case of distressed animals.