Lynwood, Wash. – A young bear cub that was found hypothermic, emaciated and dehydrated along an Oregon trail has been taken to a Washington State rehabilitation facility.
Corey Hancock was out taking photos of waterfalls Monday night near the north fork of the Santiam River when he spotted the five-pound black bear cub just off the Elkhorn trail.
Hancock said the bear appeared to be dead.
After waiting 10 minutes to see if a mother bear was around, Hancock scooped him up and drove to a Salem wildlife center, even stopping his car to give the bear small puffs of air like CPR.
The bear cub was treated for pneumonia by ODFW staff.
On Friday, the cub was taken to PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynwood, Washington.
The rehabilitation facility specializes in raising young bears without habituating them to humans so they can be released back into the wild.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said it’s illegal to take wildlife out of their habitat, and it can even be harmful for the animal.
According to ODFW, Hancock was given a warning by Oregon State Police troopers, but he did not receive a citation.
Before picking up any animal, call ODFW, OSP, or a wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
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