Bear cub burned in wildfire heals at California center

Updated: Jul 27, 2021 / 06:00 PM CDT

In this July 25, 2021, photo provided by Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care is a bear cub that was taken in for treatment after it suffered burns in a California wildfire, to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. The staff at the care center has named him “Tamarack” after the fire that burned through the Sierra south of Tahoe and into Nevada. They say he was underweight and dehydrated, but otherwise doing well. (Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care via AP)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) — 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.

Officials at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care have named the young bear “Tamarack” after the fire that burned through the Sierra south of the lake and into Nevada.

A Markleeville homeowner telephoned the center Sunday night after returning from an evacuation and finding 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, Upton told the Tahoe Daily Tribune.

A veterinarian wrapped his burned paws and gave him painkillers. Upton said they’re working with UC Davis to get a skin treatment that will speed healing.

He’s estimated to be 5- or 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.

In this July 25, 2021, photo provided by Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care is a bear cub being treated by staff after it was taken in for treatment after suffering burns in a California wildfire, to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. The staff at the care center has named him “Tamarack” after the fire that burned through the Sierra south of Tahoe and into Nevada. They say he was underweight and dehydrated, but otherwise doing well. (Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care via AP)
In this July 25, 2021, photo provided by Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care is a bear cub being treated by staff after it was taken in to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care for treatment after suffering burns in a California wildfire, in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. The staff at the care center has named him “Tamarack” after the fire that burned through the Sierra south of Tahoe and into Nevada. They say he was underweight and dehydrated, but otherwise doing well. (Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care via AP)
This July 25, 2021, photo provided by Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care shows the burned paws of a bear cub that was taken in for treatment to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., after it was rescued in a California wildfire. The staff at the care center has named him “Tamarack” after the fire that burned through the Sierra south of Tahoe and into Nevada. They say he was underweight and dehydrated, but otherwise doing well. (Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care via AP)