A family in British Columbia rescued a baby bear cub in distress while boating on Okanagan Lake over the weekend. The Zamniuk family noticed the cub struggling to stay afloat and brought it onto their boat for safety.
Initially unconcerned, the family quickly realized the seriousness of the situation as the cub struggled to keep its head above water. Christina Zamniuk described how the cub appeared exhausted and cold once on board, prompting them to feed it cheese and allow it to warm up in the sun.
Upon spotting the distressed cub, the family promptly contacted the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) and the B.C. SPCA for assistance. Despite receiving guidance to bring the cub ashore and minimize interaction, the family felt unsupported as they tried to help the cub find its way back to safety.
Following the rescue, the COS confirmed the incident and mentioned no further reports of an orphan bear cub in the area. WildSafeBC applauded the family’s efforts, highlighting the positive outcome for both the cub and the rescuers.
A public service announcement from the Central Okanagan branch emphasized the importance of avoiding wildlife contact, particularly during the active bear season in September. Encounters with bear cubs should be approached with caution, as the mother bear may be nearby and protective. The organization stressed the rarity of bear cubs needing human intervention and advised contacting the COS for distressed animal situations.