West Vancouver residents asked to be on lookout for orphan bear cubs

WEST VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The search is on for several black bear cubs that were recently orphaned in West Vancouver.

They are the offspring of two female bears who’ve been killed in two separate incidents, according to Luci Cadman with the North Shore Black Bear Society.

One of the mother bears was put down after being struck by a car, and seriously injured on Highway 1 in Caulfeild Thursday. The other was euthanized by conservation officers after entering a home in Westmount late last month.

Cadman and other volunteers have been out searching, and she explains that the situation for the cubs is dire.

“We’re actually looking for two — potentially three — orphaned bear cubs that are about six months old, in two different locations in West Vancouver. They’ll be about the same size as a cat right now, they’re very small and incredibly vulnerable they will not survive without intervention,” she says.

“These little ones especially are very, very vulnerable. They’re still relying on the mother’s milk at this time of year and typically would be until the fall. They’re vulnerable to other wildlife and vulnerable to vehicles, and it’s critical that these cubs are found if we want them to survive.”

The search is on for 2, perhaps 3, orphaned bear cubs in West Van. The cubs are the offspring of two female bears who've been killed in two separate incidents @NEWS1130

— Renee Bernard (@Renee1130) July 16, 2021

Cadman and other volunteers have been out searching, but have not yet located the animals.

“I’ve been taking calls from residents all across West Vancouver. We’ve had lots of very concerned and lovely people reach out,” she says.

“I’m very grateful for everyone that’s reached out but the phone stopped ringing, and we’ll certainly be responding to any leads that we get for sightings of these two cubs. We’ll be going back out tomorrow.”

Cadman says cubs younger than one year old can be rehabilitated, while older bears don’t have that option.

“Cubs under a year, the little ones that are reliant on mom right now and her milk, they will get the opportunity if found to go to Critter Care in Langley, which is not funded by the government whatsoever so they rely heavily on our donation so that they can rehabilitate these orphaned and injured black bear cubs and release them back into the wild,” Cadman says.

“A teenager that was very sadly orphaned — there’s no help for that bear. That bear will just have to learn to navigate life independently, very sadly.”

Anyone who sees the small bears is urged to call the BC Conservation Officer Service immediately.

The service can be reached at 1-877-952-7277 and the North Shore Black Bear Society can be reached by calling (604) 317-4911.