A family from British Columbia encountered a baby bear cub struggling in Okanagan Lake during their boating trip last weekend. They rescued the cub, named “Boo Boo,” as it was in distress, shivering and shaking from the cold water. After feeding it cheese to warm up, they contacted the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) and the B.C. SPCA for guidance.
Despite efforts to assist the cub, the family received little help from authorities. Once on shore, the cub hesitated to leave their side but eventually swam off into the woods. The COS did not arrive at the scene, leaving the family uncertain about the cub’s fate. They were advised not to interact with the cub extensively to prevent it from becoming habituated to humans.
The COS confirmed the incident, mentioning no further reports of orphan bear cubs in the area. WildSafeBC commended the family’s actions, emphasizing the importance of avoiding wildlife contact, especially during September when bear activity increases. The organization highlighted the rarity of bear cubs needing human intervention and stressed the significance of contacting the COS in such situations.
