A missing bear cub that escaped a wildlife enclosure was photographed by hikers on Thursday climbing a tree in the South Lake Tahoe area.
While officials were not able to rescue the cub, named "Tamarack", the photo was encouraging news because it showed he is alive, able to climb trees and remains in the local area, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care said in a Facebook post.
The specific location of the sighting was not released in order to discourage human traffic which could cause him to flee the region.
"Tamarack" was named after the blaze which ripped through the Sierra Nevada mountains in July. The Lake Tahoe wildlife enclosure was treating him for burn wounds suffered during the wildfire.
They planned to keep him through the winter and release him into the wild next spring, however he escaped the center on Tuesday by tunneling through an electric fence.
Officials ask anyone that sees Tamarack, who as of Thursday still had his front paws wrapped in bandages, to "please stay within visual contact but do not approach" him. Immediately call the wildlife center at 530-577-2273.
While the sighting was encouraging, officials noted that the cub "is still too small to survive long term in the wild."
