“Truth is, there is no graceful way to slide a 131-pound bear cub into a den. It takes muscle and determination. Once inside a drug was administered to reverse the tranquilizer and awaken the bears. Hopefully they’ll remain inside until spring.” -CPW SE Region Twitter
An orphan bear Cub is carried by stretcher from the cage to a bear trap for the ride up to Pike's peak. pic.twitter.com/UXXdaG1hKQ
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) January 28, 2022
Two bear cubs, whose mother passed away last summer and were under the care of humans since her death, were placed in a man made den on top of Pikes Peak in Colorado on the morning of Friday, January 28th.
Watch as CPW officers prepare the tranquilized cubs for a sled ride down a snowy hill to the den. pic.twitter.com/8L3RWC47Wl
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) January 28, 2022
The two cub’s mother was shot and killed near Woodland Park in July, and the bears were taken to Wet Mountain Wildlife Rehabilitation where they were taught basic skills to living in the wild, like a fear of humans, and fed foods that they would eat in the wild.
Our partners from @CheyenneMtnZoo handled the second bear cub in its sled, pulling and guiding it up to the den. pic.twitter.com/vlOwKkUqV7
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) January 29, 2022
The nearly one-year-old bears were placed in a den to hibernate until spring, when they will hopefully emerge as true wild bears, avoiding humans and accepting their new lives doing bear things.
WATCH as @COParksWildlife Officer Cassidy English and partners from @CheyenneMtnZoo remove the bear from its sled, take off its muzzle, blindfold and hobbles and begin inserting it in the den. pic.twitter.com/AnmYFykQsT
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) January 29, 2022
The process of releasing the animals was documented on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Southeast Region’s Twitter.
The search for the individual who shot the cubs’ mother is still ongoing, and any information regarding the incident should be directed to CPW at 719-227-5200, 877-265-6648, or game.theif@state.co.us.
Truth is, there is no graceful way to slide a 131-pound bear cub into a den. It takes muscle and determination. Once inside a drug was administered to reverse the tranquilizer and awaken the bears. Hopefully, they'll remain inside until spring. pic.twitter.com/lAi0PMwpBu
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) January 29, 2022
Images and Video Credit: CPW SE Region Twitter