Since 2003 Critter Care has successfully rehabbed and released over 60 Black Bear cubs back into the wild and will, in all likelihood, increase that number to more than 100 over the next two years! We see this as critically important to the environment as Black Bears though stable in numbers in British Columbia are now threatened or extinct in many parts of North America that they were once considered "stable". While in our care the cubs are kept in strict isolation with only primary caregivers allowed to feed and clean them on a daily basis. As a result the risk of habituation is greatly reduced and typically when the bears come out of hibernation a "metamorphosis" of sorts has taken place and they no longer even care for the proximity of their caregivers. 

Bear Rehab is one of the most intense and costly forms of rehab there is, not only from a construction stand point, but a care as well. The typical cub will remain in care anywhere from 10-18 months depending on size at intake and physical condition. Most cubs in care will more than double in size necessitating vast quantities of fruits, nuts, fish and copious quantities of vegetables. We also provide the bears with many forms of enrichment targeted at developing skills they will need to forage in the wild.

During this time they undergo several veterinary examinations to ensure their health and determine if they can in fact be released back into the environment. Without the help of Whatcom Road Veterinary clinic and the skill and knowledge of Dr. Ken Mcquisten and Dr. Borgeman we would undoubtledly not be able to give the level of care that we do. For this we say thank you and appreciate their continued support!

Bear capture and release is performed by the Conservation Officers of British Columbia and we appreciate the support and cooperation that the Province and its officers have given us over the years without which our program could not exist.

Most of our cubs come to us because they are victims of wildlife-human conflict, like Ethan and Riley. The siblings came to us at approximately six months of age in prime condition. Their mother had become a "problem bear" as a result of non bear proof garbage dumpsters continually raiding the conveniently located food sources and unfortunately was shot in a dumpster on one such raid.

Human Bear conflicts are avoidable and it is orginizations like Critter Care and several of her sister orginizations that educate and support other education programs geared toward public safety and that of the bears as well.

We encourage you to watch and suppport our bears as they grow and are released back into the environment and to learn how to live in peaceful coexistence with these amazing and important animals.

Click here to meet our bears!