An injured bear cub that was rescued after it suffered burns in a California wildfire is being nursed back to health at a wildlife center at Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care employees have named the young bear "Tamarack" after the fire that burned through the Sierra south of the lake and into Nevada.
According to reporting by the Tahoe Daily Tribune, a Markleeville homeowner telephoned the center Sunday evening to find the cub walking on its elbows because of burns on its paws, said Denise Upton, the center's animal care director.
They called the fire incident commander, who escorted them into the closed area where they found the cub in the home’s backyard. The cub tried to climb a tree but couldn’t because of his wounds.
A veterinarian wrapped his burned paws and gave him painkillers. His burns are currently being treated with Therahoney Gel. According to the center’s Facebook page, after some deliberation doctors have decided to wait to go through with a Tilapia skin grafting procedure, until the wounds heal more.
Tamarack is estimated to be 5 to 6 months old, weighing 21 pounds.
"He came to us underweight ... and was dehydrated," Upton said. "But other than that, he was in pretty good condition."
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care will likely keep the bear through winter and release him in the spring, she said.
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